Economy remains 'fragile'

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- By ALISTAIR HOUGHTON

GREATER Manchester's economy remains 'fragile' after businesses gave the thumbs down to Rachel Reeves' Budget amid fears over cost and demand, two new studies have shown.

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce revealed its flagship GM Index of business confidence for this quarter stands at 14.9 - up on the 13.3 for the previous three months.

But despite that positive headline optimism remains low as firms are still worried about rising tax and bills, Chamber chiefs told business leaders in Manchester.

The Chamber's latest economic forum, held at the Sister innovation centre in central Manchester, saw economist Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara unveil the results of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey. He was joined by Rupert Greenhalgh, who also discussed The Growth Company's latest research into the health of Manchester business.