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An elected mayor for Greater Manchester in return for devolution cash

It's expected to be confirmed today the Greater Manchester councils will agree to a single elected mayor - in return for a one billion pound devolution package.

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The Chancellor George Osborne's called it a ''massive moment'' for the North of England

He's talking about plans unveiled today for Greater Manchester to have its own elected mayor and to have greater control of how money is spent in the area on things like transport, housing and policing.

It's part of the Government's aim of creating a so-called Northern Powerhouse to rival the economic and political power of London. But critics say creating a mayor will actually take decision-making further away from the people.

Council Leader welcomes more powers and accepts accountability is needed

Sir Richard Leese, the Leader of Manchester City council says its been a tough few months to get this agreement with the government. He warns that Greater Manchester can't afford to wait for an elected mayor and must start showing the government it can deliver today.

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Osborne: all cities on world stage need a mayor

He says big cities on the world stage all have mayors stating 'There is a Mayor of New York, a Mayor of Paris and a Mayor of London there should be a Mayor of Greater Manchester'.

Osborne: 'This is a big moment' for Greater Manchester

Chancellor George Osborne said today's agreement will create the first directly-elected city mayor outside of London.

"That's a big moment and it means not just a powerful voice for Manchester but also practical improvements to things like journey times on transport, Oyster-style travelcards, investments in skills," he said.

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City's Crime Commissioner welcomes devolution plan

Too many people are put off politics by the irrelevance of a Westminster parliament a million miles from their own lives. I am bound to welcome the transfer of powers, responsibilities and resources to Greater Manchester and bringing important decisions closer to home. For this to work it's important that all areas of Greater Manchester benefit, and not just the city itself.

I will continue to work alongside the council leaders to negotiate with central government the best deal for our region but we must ensure that what is agreed is democratically accountable to the people across Greater Manchester and carries legitimacy in their eyes.

– Tony Lloyd, Police & Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester

Devolution is a 'huge move forward'

Greater Manchester has been in the vanguard of the national devolution debate. It was clear that an over-centralised national system was not delivering the best results for our people or our economy.

We are extremely pleased that we can now demonstrate what a city region with greater freedoms can achieve and contribute further to the growth of the UK.

Our ultimate ambition is for full devolution of all public spending in Greater Manchester, currently around £22 billion a year, so that we either influence or control the whole amount.

We recognise that this cannot happen overnight and there needs to be a staged approach based on evidence that devolution delivers increased economic growth and better public services. But today’s settlement is a huge move forwards and a road map for the future.

– Sir Richard Leese, Greater Manchester combined authrority
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