Burnham devo plan ‘absolutely what we need’, says East Mids Mayor

Claire Ward has welcomed plans to devolve extra powers for regional mayors expected to be announced by Andy Burnham in Manchester this morning.

Labour leadership contender Burnham – who is widely expected to become prime minister next month – will begin to sketch out his vision for running the country in a highly anticipated speech today.

Early details, leaked over the weekend, suggest those plans are expected to include beefed up social housing responsibilities for the East and West Midlands regional authorities.

Burnham’s anticipated policy platform will plans to raise living standards through reindustrialisation, housing, infrastructure and reform of essential utilities.

Plans for a new “No.10 in the north”, an office of the Prime Minister in the North of England intended to drive economic development, are also expected to be included, according to widely circulated media reports.

“I think this is absolutely what we need,” East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, told the BBC earlier today.

“Andy has been on the receiving end of it. He knows that mayors can make a difference, they can move much faster, and that devolution has the opportunity of unlocking growth in our regions – not just in London and the South East.

“It’s that experience that he’s bringing in to government.”

Burnham was sworn in as MP for Makerfield in Manchester last week, following the resignation of former MP Josh Simons.

He emerged as the lead contender for the Labour leadership following the resignation of Kier Starmer on 22 June, and could become Labour leader, and Prime Minister, as soon as 20 July.