The first details of how Andy Burnham will use new powers given to Greater Manchester in the latest devolution deal have been revealed. The mayor will make a series of announcements in the coming months to set out his plans for transport, housing and technical education.
It comes seven weeks after the trailblazer deal was signed by the government, giving local leaders in Greater Manchester more control over spending in the city-region and providing a 'blueprint' for further devolution across England. Marking six years since he became mayor on Monday (May 8), Mr Burnham shared a statement explaining how he would use some of these new powers.
This includes the introduction of a Manchester Baccalaureate - or MBacc - to create a technical education route that is considered equally important to academic options. The Labour mayor also promised he would set up a Good Landlord Charter to drive up housing standards across Greater Manchester.
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More details on how commuter rail services would become part of the Bee Network - a London-style public transport system set to launch with the first franchised buses in September - are also due to be revealed next month. Mr Burnham set out some of these proposals before the new deal was agreed.
During negotiations with the government, he explained what he wanted the new powers for. However, he said that some of the plans he was proposing would happen regardless of the outcome of the talks which started last year.
Speaking after the agreement was signed in March, Mr Burnham described the deal as one of his most significant achievements as a politician. However, some details in the deal are yet to be agreed, requiring further discussion.
In a statement marking six years as the mayor, Mr Burnham thanked the people of Greater Manchester who have supported him and spoke of his achievements in the role such as reducing the number of rough sleepers. He said: "Of course, it goes without saying that I haven’t got everything right but your backing has helped me to lead in difficult times and put us in a strong position for what comes next."
The statement continues by setting out a timetable of announcements about how the new powers given to the city-region in the latest devolution deal will be used. Next week, he will start by setting out a proposal for an 'alternative solution' to technical education, including the Mancheser Baccalaureate.
An alternative to the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), the MBacc would steer students towards good T Levels - rather than A Levels - and focus on subjects which maximise young people's chance of getting a good job in the Greater Manchester economy. A public consultation about this proposal is planned.
A second announcement about the introduction of a Good Landlord Charter will come in early June. This scheme promises to empower tenants, give greater recognition to the many good landlords out there and isolate those who fail to meet basic standards and put pressure on them to change.
Landlords who receive public money for their properties through housing benefits could also be required to reinvest a sufficient sum to ensure properties meet minimum standards. The third and final announcement will come on June 23, three months before the new Bee Network is launched.
Ahead of the first publicly-controlled buses being rolled out in Wigan and Bolton, more details on how commuter rail services would be integrated into the Bee Network will be revealed alongside details of a new fare structure. Mr Burnham said: "So, six years in, I feel the things I set out to achieve are slowly becoming a reality.
"Devolution in England is bringing most of the much-needed new thinking and positive energy to British politics right now. We are changing things for the better from the bottom up - and the best is still to come.
"Thank you for giving me the privilege of leading this incredible place and a job I truly love. I will continue to give it my all."
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