‘£24m boost from Labour conference’

THIS year’s Labour Party conference in Manchester is expected to generate £23.9m for the local economy.

The figure has been calculated by Marketing Manchester which says business tourism generates £822m a year for the Greater Manchester economy and supports 21,800 full-time equivalent jobs.

Opposition leader Ed Miliband, the shadow cabinet and some 11,000 delegates and exhibitors will convene at Manchester Central from September 30 to October 4.

This is the fourth Annual Conference the Labour Party has held in the city since Manchester became a fixture on the UK party conference circuit.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is now the major conference destination for the two main political parties and we’re pleased that Labour has chosen to return to our great city.

“The feedback we received from 2010 was that it was a resounding success and the delegates were given a warm Manchester welcome. I’ve no doubt this will be repeated again this year as we welcome 11,000 delegates to the city from all over the country. Manchester is going to be on show to the world during the five days of the conference – and we won’t disappoint.”