Prime Minister announces £285m funding boost for local leaders
Mayors across England back plans to give regions greater control over investment in housing, transport and town centre regeneration
Local leaders across England are set to receive a national share of £285 million in funding to support economic growth and give communities greater control over investment decisions.
The government’s new Good Growth funding aims to reduce reliance on Westminster, allowing mayors to prioritise projects such as new homes, improved transport links and high street regeneration.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“I'm calling time on local leaders going cap in hand to Westminster. That is no way to run a country.
"When I became Prime Minister, I said that if a decision can be made closer to home, it should be.
“Today we’re putting that into practice, shifting power into the hands of the people who know their communities best.”
The funding will be allocated next year, with the government also planning a £1.5 billion borrowing facility from 2028 and £150 million to help strategic authorities manage additional responsibilities.
Chancellor John Healey said:
“Local people have the right to decide their own future. Every community in Britain has potential – for too many it has gone untapped and wasted while money and power has been held in Westminster.
“Mayors and local leaders know what their communities need to grow, which is why we are giving them more money, more power and more capacity to get projects moving, build homes and make the right decisions for their areas.
“By putting more power and funding into local hands, we can unlock growth, create opportunity and restore hope for the future.”
Mayors welcome the plans
The proposals have received support from regional mayors, who highlighted the potential to improve local services, create jobs and accelerate development.
Those backing the plans include:
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England
The mayors pointed to the importance of local decision-making in delivering housing, transport improvements, business investment and economic opportunities.
The government says the measures form part of its wider devolution plans, giving local leaders greater freedom to shape their communities’ economic futures.