Story perspectives

Burnham Grants Mayors Tax Share as Turnout Hits 25%

8/1/2026

Center

Burnham Grants Tax

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that English city-region mayors will receive a share of locally generated income-tax revenue for the first time.
A Manchester office called “Number 10 North” was opened to coordinate the devolution programme.
The scheme starts with business-rate allocations in April 2027 and adds income-tax shares in April 2028.
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised the plan as lacking detail and unlikely to aid weaker economies.

Left

Burnham Allocates Tax

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that English city-region mayors will receive a share of locally generated income-tax revenue for the first time.
The coverage highlights the sub-25% turnout, arguing that devolution should focus on aiding disadvantaged communities.
Bev Craig’s share rose from 47.15% first-preference to 66.3% after second-preferences, beating Reform UK.
Turnout fell just under 25%, the third lowest, blamed on low awareness and summer holidays.

Blindspot

Turnout in the Greater Manchester mayoral byelection was just under 25%, the third lowest for any mayoral byelection, attributed to low voter awareness and the summer holiday period.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

2000 saw the UK government launch City Deals, giving Greater Manchester and other regions fiscal powers; Gordon Brown pledged £1.2 billion and the Treasury set aside 10 percent of business rates for local use. Andy Burnham’s 2028 proposal echoes this model, shifting income-tax shares to city-region mayors and creating a Number 10 North office, but a sub-25 percent turnout in the latest Greater Manchester byelection could stall the devolution push.

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Burnham Grants Tax

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that English city-region mayors will receive a share of locally generated income-tax revenue for the first time.
A Manchester office called “Number 10 North” was opened to coordinate the devolution programme.
The scheme starts with business-rate allocations in April 2027 and adds income-tax shares in April 2028.
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised the plan as lacking detail and unlikely to aid weaker economies.

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