The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, will host a gathering of entrepreneurs and local mayors at Downing Street on Monday, in an event designed to showcase a new partnership between government and business. The prime minister has framed the meeting as part of a wider effort to 'reindustrialise Britain' by attracting investment and supporting job creation.
Downing Street said the prime minister will meet business leaders, entrepreneurs and civic figures to pitch the government as a "partner for growth" capable of offering a stable platform for investment and employment across the country. Organisers described the meeting as an opportunity to build closer ties between central government, local authorities and the private sector.
Ahead of the event, Andy Burnham said the country possessed "everything it needs to succeed", citing a skilled workforce and world-class universities, but argued that unlocking the nation's full potential would require "a culture shift in how Britain does business." His remarks pointed to a focus on changing business practices and incentives to support long-term industrial renewal.
The televised meeting follows a period of policy emphasis from the government on boosting industrial capacity and regional economic development. Officials hope the session will produce practical commitments from companies and local leaders on investment, skills and infrastructure that could underpin the prime minister's reindustrialisation agenda.
Participants are expected to include a mix of private sector figures and mayors representing English cities and regions, reflecting the administration's stated aim of devolving growth initiatives beyond London. The Downing Street event marks a high-profile attempt to align local leadership and business interests behind a shared economic strategy ahead of forthcoming policy announcements.