Prime Minister Andy Burnham says mayors of city regions across England will receive a share of income tax revenue for the first time, in a move billed as a major shift of power away from Westminster. The proposal is part of a broader devolution agenda aimed at giving local leaders more control over how their areas are run.
According to the announcement, the plan would extend new financial powers to all regional mayors in England rather than limiting them to a small number of areas. Burnham has said the change would bring power to "every postcode," framing it as a way to spread decision-making beyond central government.
Supporters are likely to view the measure as an attempt to strengthen local accountability and give mayors a bigger role in shaping economic priorities in their regions. A share of income tax revenue could give city-region leaders a more direct stake in local growth and public spending decisions.
However, critics say the proposal currently lacks detail. Questions remain over how the income tax share would be calculated, how much control mayors would actually have, and what the change would mean for the balance of power between local government and Westminster.
