Prime Minister Andy Burnham Announces Tax Sharing for English Mayors

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a devolution plan that will allow mayors in England to keep a share of the income tax and business rates generated within their regions. The policy aims to move political and economic power away from Westminster to incentivize regional leaders to promote economic growth, improve public transport, build homes, and create jobs. According to the government, the rate of income tax for billpayers will not change, and an equalisation system will remain in place to support areas where less tax is collected. Further details are expected in a white paper to be published during Chancellor John Healey's first Budget in the autumn.

Mr. Burnham is the first Labour and Co-operative MP to serve as prime minister. He is joined in the Cabinet by seven other Labour and Co-operative ministers, including Deputy Leader Lucy Powell, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh. The prime minister, who previously served as the mayor of Greater Manchester for approximately nine years, stated that the policy is intended to ensure local leaders have the resources to drive change and end a culture of dependency on central government.

While center lean outlets focused on the economic mechanics of the devolution push and the challenge of succeeding where previous leaders failed, a center left outlet framed the move as a revolution to bring power home to the people and a way to stop local leaders from being ignored by Westminster.