Local leaders have signed an historic deal with the government which gives Greater Manchester new powers over transport, housing and technical education with mayor Andy Burnham handed full control over finances. The trailblazer devolution deal was signed by Levelling Up minister Dehenna Davison, Mr Burnham and the 10 council leaders on Tuesday (March 21).
Speaking at the signing ceremony hosted by Manchester College at its new campus on the former Boddington's brewery site near the city centre, the Conservative minister said the new deal will 'revolutionise' the way that Mr Burnham's office works and, by doing so, improve people's lives. She said the deal gives the Labour mayor the 'flexibility' and 'financial fire power' to rise to the challenges the city-region faces and allow it to 'reach its true potential'.
And she said the deal could soon be replicated in other parts of England too. She said: "The Greater Manchester city region is poised to lead us through a fourth industrial revolution and one that is no less significant than the first.
