Manchester leads on devolution - but where is the cash?

摘要

Congratulations to Manchester. Leading the way in the devolution stakes, it has secured the first deal from the Treasury to pull down powers to the combined authority level. Sir Richard Leese and Sir Howard Bernstein have, between them, changed the face of local government - even if it is just baby steps for now. Reading the coverage and the quotes, you could be forgiven for thinking that the most pressing part of the deal was an Oyster card for Mancunians. Fond as I am of an integrated transport payment system, it is just the tip of the iceberg. But while there is devolution of powers over housing, planning, skills and growth there is the obvious omission - where is the fiscal devolution? With £22bn public spending a year in Greater Manchester, there is a lot of scope for saving and shaping the local economy.