Manchester interim mayor Tony Lloyd says the approval of HS2’s first phase from London to Birmingham must be the catalyst for the speedy progression of phase two to Manchester.

Manchester MPs think Transport for the North (TfN) will be good for business, but have said it needs to be beneficial for everyone else as well.

North England’s population in relation the rest of the country’s hits a 200 year low, statistics released by the Office for National Statistics reveal

Manchester speak out against Prime Minister David Cameron’s approval of plans to build the high-speed rail link, HS3, in the North West

The concept of TechNorth was proposed by the Deputy Prime Minister as part of his Northern Futures proposals, and intends to bring together the digital technology industries from across the north of England.

South Manchester MP John Leech believes plans for a high-speed rail network in the North West will be ‘good news’ for the city’s economy – and is urging the government to implement the report alongside the current HS2.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne stopped by Manchester Victoria train station and the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) following the announcement of a proposed HS3 high-speed railway line to connect northern cities from Liverpool to Hull.