15 March 2010 | Jake Kanter

Manchester City Council (MCC) has created more than 5,000 jobs as a result of buying goods and services locally.

The local authority spent £357 million with Manchester-based suppliers in 2008-09, which it says enabled 5,225 local residents to secure work.

More than 85 per cent of deals with its top 300 suppliers were awarded to Greater Manchester businesses.

“We aim to ensure that we select only value-for-money products and services, and we consider the social, ethical, environmental and economic impacts when we do so,” said Bernard Priest, executive member for finance at MCC.

The figures were released as a report by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) said council spending could make local economies more resilient and boost sustainability.

For every £1 spent with local suppliers, £2 is generated in the local economy, it said. APSE chief executive Paul O’Brien added: “By looking carefully at how we procure goods and services, we can start to have a real impact on the environment and well-being of communities.”