It was an historic day for Greater Manchester. The city-region secured a groundbreaking deal, bringing with it 'a new era for English devolution'.
For the first time in the country, two city-regions are set to be treated like government departments with their mayors given full control of their budgets. It means Andy Burnham will be able to spend money according to his own priorities rather than having to bid for funding that comes with conditions.
The 'trailblazer' devolution deal - which will be a blueprint for other regions to follow - also gives local leaders new powers over transport, housing and skills. However, while the Chancellor was announcing the deal in his budget speech in Parliament on Wednesday (March 15), Mr Burnham was not even in the UK.
