Giving mayors a share of tax collected will ’empower’ regions, Burnham says

Prime Minister Andy Burnham casts his vote at the Legh Court polling station in Golborne, Warrington, Cheshire, in the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, which was triggered by his resignation (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA) - (PA Wire)

Andy Burnham has said his plans for England’s mayors to keep a share of taxes collected in their area will give them “more in their hands” to empower their regions.

The Prime Minister announced on Friday that regional mayors will be allowed to keep a slice of income tax and business rates to spend on their priorities, as part of his drive to push power out of Westminster.