Andy Burnham launches six-city devolution tour

Andy Burnham will this week launch a national tour aimed at building support for his plan to reform England’s devolution settlement, starting in Birmingham on Wednesday. The Greater Manchester mayor is pushing for deeper powers and funding for city regions, including transport, housing and skills, in a move he says will boost economic growth and reduce inequality. His initiative comes amid growing frustration over Whitehall’s slow pace on devolution deals and ahead of next year’s general election.

Burnham has been a vocal advocate for devolution since taking office in 2017, arguing that local leaders know how to drive regional prosperity better than central government. His latest push follows the collapse of the Northern Powerhouse initiative under Boris Johnson and the piecemeal rollout of devolution deals under Rishi Sunak, which critics say lack ambition and funding. With Labour leading in the polls, Burnham is positioning himself as a key figure in reshaping how England is governed, potentially influencing the next government’s approach to regional policy.

The tour will visit six cities, including Leeds, Newcastle and Bristol, and will focus on securing cross-party support for a new devolution framework. Burnham has already secured backing from some Labour-led councils but faces resistance from Conservative-controlled areas wary of ceding power. His proposals include giving metro mayors more control over transport budgets and housing policy, as well as a share of income tax to fund local services. The government has yet to respond formally, but a spokesperson said it was “considering further devolution opportunities.”

If successful, Burnham’s plan could set the template for a radical overhaul of England’s governance, shifting power away from Westminster. It would also test Labour’s willingness to devolve authority if it wins the next election. The stakes are high: without meaningful reform, regional inequality is likely to deepen, and public frustration with centralised decision-making will grow. Burnham’s tour is more than a political stunt—it’s a bid to redefine how power is shared across England.