Manchester City Council chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein this morning said he was “confident” approval for the city region's new governance structure could be reached by “a week on Friday” as Bolton became the latest local authority in Greater Manchester to confirm its support for the proposals. Yesterday, he also told an international Four Cities event that the move to replace the existing Association of Greater Manchester Authorities was a genuine level of devolution. Last month, Stockport and Trafford borough councils abstained from a vote to recommend the proposed new structure. However, Bolton last night voted in favour of the proposals. It is envisaged that the new body will have an increased say in the governing of the region.

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Manchester's inward investment agency MIDAS this morning hosted a debate at which Jones Lang LaSalle's regional chairman Bob Dyson called for new grade A space to be developed in the city. He said: "It's important the city fathers push forward the supply of grade A space, because at the moment, options are scarce. Manchester has facilitated delivery better than its rivals and needs to continue to do so."