Manchester HS2 Parliamentary Reception
14/07/2022
Take a look at our recent Parliamentary Reception and why we joined business and political leaders to highlight need for an undergrouund HS2 station at Manchester Piccadilly.
Downtown campaigns for Manchester HS2 tunnel
07/07/2022
Whilst the Prime Minister made his last stand with a committee of top MPs in the Palace of Westminster, Downtown held a reception on the Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons.
Manchester leaders to press Government on ‘cut-price’ overground HS2 station
30/06/2022
Over 50 political and business leaders are to lobby the Government next week on its decision to rule out an underground HS2 station in Manchester.
Manchester Business Leaders’ Parliamentary Reception
24/06/2022
‘GOING UNDERGROUND – THE £330M ANNUAL DIVIDEND IF WE GET HS2 RIGHT’ Downtown in Business, in partnership with Manchester City Council and United City, is
A windfall tax is no substitute for a long-term plan
19/05/2022
The chancellor needs a long term economic strategy – not short-term gimmicks – to get the country’s economy working again, according to DIB boss Frank McKenna.
Exclusive Interview with Lord Andrew Adonis
31/01/2022
DIB was joined in the Downtown Den by Lord Andrew Adonis discussing party-gate, HS2, Brexit and more.
Rail upgrades in years or decades?
18/11/2021
Labour cries betrayal over government plans for northern rail upgrades. But Jim looks through the fog of acrimony to see that there are some benefits.
Why scrapping HS2 East will deform England’s whole economic geography
18/11/2021
This week Lord Andrew Adonis, the man who is the brains behind HS2 gives his reaction to the government’s latest decisions around the project in a special ‘guest blog’ for DIB.
Green agenda needs determination not dither
05/08/2021
Doubts are swirling around HS2 coming to the North and promises on Northern Powerhouse Rail. Jim wonders if the Prime Minister is the right man to deliver on these projects or the wider green agenda where tough choices are needed.
Cummings the sacker of Chancellors
13/02/2020
This week Jim comments on the shock sacking of the Chancellor, believes we need to look carefully at the government’s rail plans for the North, and urges Andy Burnham to get behind Lisa Nandy in the Labour leadership election.
It’s infrastructure stupid
06/02/2020
Frank Mckenna calls on the government to prioritise infrastructure spend to get the UK economy moving in his lates Downtown blog.
Missed Opportunity in the communication of HS2
18/09/2019
Downtown in Business recently hosted an exclusive event discussing the economic potential of HS2 and the Northern Powerhouse Rail.