Budget 2026: Turning ambition into opportunity for Greater Manchester

From backing entrepreneurs to giving regional leaders greater powers, the Budget signals support for business growth. For Greater Manchester, the focus must now be on turning these announcements into meaningful opportunities for our businesses and communities.

Backing entrepreneurs to start, stay and grow

It’s positive to see the Budget recognise the importance of encouraging business founders to remain in the UK and continue investing here. Measures such as Founders’ Relief send a signal that the contribution of entrepreneurs is valued, while the trading allowance will make it easier for people to earn money from a new venture without immediately facing a tax bill.

These are practical steps that could help encourage entrepreneurship, although their impact will depend on how accessible and effective the support proves to be in practice.

Giving Greater Manchester the tools to drive growth

The announcements on regional investment and fiscal devolution are also important and reflect what we know businesses in Greater Manchester want to hear. Plans for mayors to receive a share of business rates revenue and, from 2028, income tax revenue signal a greater role for local leaders in shaping economic growth.

For Greater Manchester, the key will be ensuring these changes translate into meaningful investment and opportunities for businesses and communities across the region.

The introduction of Good Growth Funds for mayors, alongside incubator capital for areas without mayors, is another welcome recognition that growth needs to be supported beyond the traditional centres of economic power.

Access to funding, infrastructure and practical business support can make a real difference to companies looking to invest and scale. The challenge now will be ensuring these initiatives reach businesses of different sizes and at different stages of development, including those that face the greatest barriers to growth.

Opening doors for the next generation of founders

It is also encouraging to see measures aimed at supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. An allowance designed to help young founders cover a year of living costs could reduce one of the practical barriers to starting a business, while new scale-up programmes for young founders demonstrate a commitment to widening access to entrepreneurial opportunities.

Supporting a more diverse range of founders is important if the benefits of business growth are to be shared more widely.

Turning ambition into action across our region

At pro-manchester, we see every day what businesses can achieve when ambition meets collaboration. Greater Manchester’s strength lies in its people, its entrepreneurial spirit and its commitment to working together. These announcements recognise the role that regions like ours can play in driving the UK’s growth, with local leadership and investment helping businesses turn ambition into opportunity.

The focus must now turn to delivery: ensuring that new funding and powers create tangible benefits for businesses across Greater Manchester, supporting those ready to scale while helping smaller businesses manage costs, protect jobs and remain viable.

Ultimately, success should be measured by the opportunities they create for businesses and people across our region.