BURNHAM TO FREE MAYORS FROM ‘TREASURY DEATH GRIP’ WITH NEW DEVOLVED POWERS

Andy Burnham plans to give English regional mayors new devolved powers, allowing them to break free from reliance on Whitehall handouts for projects. According to The Guardian, this plan will enable mayors to borrow and invest in big projects. The move is considered 'transformational' in shifting power out of Whitehall.

Under the plan, mayors will keep a share of income tax generated in their area from 2028, as well as business rates totaling tens of millions of pounds by April 2027, according to The Guardian. This is seen as a significant shift in funding, with mayors no longer relying solely on Whitehall for project financing. BBC News and other sources confirm that Andy Burnham is set to give regional mayors a share of income tax.

This move is significant as it aims to reduce the financial control of the Treasury over English regions, allowing mayors to make more independent decisions on local projects and development. The context surrounding this decision is not fully detailed in the provided sources, but it appears to be part of a broader effort to decentralize power.

• English regional mayors to receive new devolved powers
• Mayors to keep a share of income tax from 2028 and business rates from April 2027
• Plan aims to reduce reliance on Whitehall handouts for projects

Read the original source for full detail available at The Guardian src