Government backs plan for elected Lancashire mayor

Summarised from 6 outlets · 9 reports · Updated 28 Oct, 18:28 · Archive

The Government has announced plans for Lancashire to elect its first county-wide mayor, with an election scheduled for 2028.

The Government has announced that Lancashire will have an elected county-wide mayor, with an election to be held in 2028. The decision was revealed as part of the Budget and represents a landmark moment after more than two decades of political debate about the proposal.

Devolution minister Jim McMahon met with members of the Lancashire County Combined Authority and council leaders in Preston last month, according to the Lancashire Telegraph. He reportedly told them that a mayor was 'a priority' for the Burnham government and shared that the position could unlock a further £1 billion in funding over the next 30 years.

The government will now enter final-stage negotiations with the county on the detailed arrangements for devolved Lancashire. Multiple outlets report that MPs have pledged to continue discussions on how the devolved structure will operate.

The concept of a directly elected mayor for Lancashire has proved divisive over the years, with the county's complex patchwork of local authorities and political leaders struggling to unite behind the idea. However, supporters have long argued that creating a mayoral system would unlock potentially billions in Government and private investment.

This argument has gained particular strength since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister and made clear that areas with an elected leader would be prioritised for funding. The Chancellor stated that 'we have seen what mayors have achieved in other parts of the country', pointing to successes in regions like Manchester and Liverpool that have embraced the mayoral model.

Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and a member of the Lancashire County Combined Authority, has long been one of the main advocates for a mayoral system, arguing that Lancashire has been 'left behind' by areas with established elected mayors.

How it is being reported

• 'It's about bloody time': mayor on the horizon for Lancashire after government budget announcementThe government will enter “final-stage” negotiations with the county.Blackpool Gazette · 28 Oct, 17:50
• 'It's about bloody time': Lancashire mayor on the horizon after government budget announcementThe government will enter “final-stage” negotiations with the county.Burnley Express · 28 Oct, 17:19
• 'It's about bloody time': Lancashire mayor on the horizon after government budget announcementThe government will enter “final-stage” negotiations with the county.Lancaster Guardian · 28 Oct, 17:18
• 'It's about bloody time': Lancashire mayor on the horizon after government budget announcementThe government will enter “final-stage” negotiations with the county.Lancaster Guardian · 28 Oct, 17:18
• 'It's about bloody time': Lancashire mayor on the horizon after government budget announcementThe government will enter “final-stage” negotiations with the county.Chorley Guardian · 28 Oct, 17:13
• 'It's about bloody time': Lancashire mayor on the horizon after government budget announcementThe government will enter “final-stage” negotiations with the county.Chorley Guardian · 28 Oct, 17:13
• Autumn Budget 2026: Major update on plans for new Lancashire Mayor revealed by Chancellor“We have seen what mayors have achieved in other parts of the country.”Blackpool Gazette · 28 Oct, 16:40
• Budget detail reveals Lancashire WILL have an elected mayorLancashire is on course to finally get a county-wide mayor after more than 20 years of political debate, the Government has revealed in the BudgetLancashire Telegraph · 28 Oct, 16:00
• Government backs Lancashire mayor plans in budgetThe government has revealed it is in the final stages of agreeing a mayoral strategic authority for Lancashire, with MPs pledging to continue discussions on how a devolved Lancashire will lookLancashire Post · 28 Oct, 15:51

In this story: Lancashire · Andy Burnham · Jim McMahon · Manchester · Liverpool · Phil Riley · Blackburn with Darwen Council

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log