Leaders hail talks on ‘trailblazing’ devolution plans

NEGOTIATIONS over giving Greater Manchester more powers are going well, but there is ‘some doubt’ about the future of devolution, Andy Burnham has said.

- JOSEPH TIMAN

Local leaders were told of encouraging ‘noises’ from Treasury officials as the city-region bids to get full control of funding like that of Scotland and Wales.

The mayor also spoke of ‘very positive’ meetings with ministers and senior civil servants about post-16 skills and technical education being run locally.

However, as the Conservative leadership contest continues this summer, there is some uncertainty as to what the next Prime Minister’s government will do.

It comes after a series of ministers quit Boris Johnson’s government, putting different politicians in power until a new Tory leader is selected in September.

Mr. Burnham told council leaders at a meeting on Friday that he has since had a ‘positive’ meeting with the new Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark.