English mayors to receive increased funding and expanded powers

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 22:56 · Archive

English mayors are to receive increased funding and expanded powers to make investment decisions.

English mayors and regional leaders will receive increased funding and expanded powers in the Budget, to be formally announced on Wednesday. The plans grant local authorities enhanced flexibility when making investment decisions and aim to move away from reliance on separate bidding pots managed directly from Whitehall.

Chancellor John Healey said the strategy would harness the 'untapped and wasted' potential within English regions and cities. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a former Greater Manchester Mayor, said the move would prevent local leaders from having to go 'cap in hand' to Westminster for investment funding. Burnham said: 'I'm calling time on local leaders going cap in hand to Westminster. That is no way to run a country.'

The government has allocated an initial £285 million for next year. Strategic authorities will receive an additional £150 million next year to build their capability to manage new powers and complex investment programmes. Areas without strategic authority status will be able to access a share of the money to support them in the 'transitional period'. The government will also work with mayors to design a new £1.5 billion borrowing facility from 2028, giving them greater access to capital for projects.

How it is being reported

• England’s mayors to be boosted with ‘more money and more power’ in BudgetThe plans, which will be formally announced in John Healey's Budget on Wednesday, will give local officials more flexibility and authority to make investment decisionsThe Mirror · 24 Oct, 22:35
• English mayors to get new powers and more funding to boost regional growthThe PM says it will prevent local leaders from having to go ‘cap in hand’ to WhitehallThe Independent · 24 Oct, 22:30

In this story: John Healey · Andy Burnham · Greater Manchester · Westminster · England

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