Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester council, says London-based companies will soon be moving out of London to the North because of a better quality of life and cheaper property.
He said another reason was the need to disperse activities around the country to combat the threat of terrorism.
He said Manchester was on course to become a leading European regional capital. He praised deputy prime minister John Prescott for leading the country in urban regeneration.
References: The Guardian 12/05/04 page 9
