Devolution and local powers
Who decides, who pays, and what Greater Manchester can change through its devolved powers.
Explore policy episodesNorth West economic analysis
Economics from the ground up
Bolton, Manchester, and the North West analysed locally. Newman Finance Ltd explains levelling-up policy, transport investment, local government finance, and the choices shaping daily life.
Short, clear episodes for people who want the figures connected to their high street, bus route, school, and neighbourhood.
6
policy strands
4k
listeners reached
NW
local focus
Connected places. Local consequences.
Bolton
Manchester
Wigan
Liverpool
Reporting where policy lands
The questions behind the headlines
What we cover
The Greater Manchester economics podcast follows decisions through to the people and places affected.
Council finance
A plain-English look at council tax, grants, service budgets, and the pressure on local government.
Hear the analysisTransport and regeneration
We test transport promises against delivery, jobs, access, and the future of town centres.
Follow the local storyNHS and social care
Funding, workforce gaps, and demand explained through the experience of local services.
Browse discussionsEducation funding
What school budgets mean for pupils, staff, families, and the strength of a local economy.
Connect policy to homeRegional inequality
Why former industrial towns face different wages, investment patterns, and access to opportunity.
Meet the editorial approachListen with context
Regional episodes to hear
Each episode starts with a local detail and follows the money, policy, and evidence behind it.
Regional inequality UK
Levelling Up: One Year On, Has Anything Changed?
A measured look at investment claims, local delivery, and what residents can actually see.
28 minutesLocal government finance podcast
Council Tax: Where Your Money Really Goes
A Bolton-focused guide to bills, services, ring-fenced funds, and hard budget choices.
24 minutesNorth West UK economy
Transport for the North: Promises vs Delivery
What rail, roads, and bus reform mean for commuting, freight, and town-centre trade.
31 minutesBolton economic analysis
Why Bolton's High Street Is Struggling
Rents, footfall, household budgets, and regeneration plans meet on one high street.
26 minutesBe a guest or suggest a topic
Local researchers, councillors, charities, and community representatives are welcome. Bring a question that deserves a careful answer.
We aim to reflect the real economy of the North West. Your experience can set the starting point.
Suggest an episode topic
Put forward a local guest
Share evidence from your community
A local voice, heard
How a Bolton food bank used our platform
A local food bank joined an episode about demand, inflation, and the pressure on household budgets. The conversation reached 4,000 listeners and led to more volunteer enquiries.
"People understood the pressure behind the figures. Several listeners got in touch because the episode made the need feel close to home."
4,000
listeners reached
Volunteer enquiries followed
The North West deserves clear economics
Start the conversation
Listen to the regional series, suggest a local question, or speak with Newman Finance Ltd about a guest appearance.