Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is scheduled to chair a meeting at the government’s 'No 10 North' facility, focusing on strategies for regional economic growth. The meeting comes as the UK government navigates a challenging fiscal landscape, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting a £1.8bn deficit for the month of July. This figure exceeded expectations, as economists had previously anticipated a balanced budget for the month, which typically sees higher tax receipts.

According to the ONS, the deficit occurred because government spending growth outpaced the revenue collected. While self-assessment income tax payments reached £17.1bn—an increase of £1.7bn compared to the same period last year—these gains were insufficient to offset total expenditure. The data highlights the fiscal pressures currently facing Chancellor John Healey as he prepares his upcoming budget. The meeting chaired by Burnham is expected to address how regional growth initiatives can be integrated into the broader national economic strategy to help manage these fiscal constraints.