Government agrees to strengthen devolution to Greater Manchester

As part of the 2017 Autumn Budget, the Government has agreed to strengthen devolution to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

This agreement sets out new commitments between central Government and the GMCA to further strengthen joint working. It builds on the four previous devolution deals agreed between the GMCA and Government, along with the Memorandum of Understanding that devolved £6bn of health and social care spending to Greater Manchester. The agreement aims to further improve outcomes across the city region and continue to build the Northern Powerhouse.

The Chancellor has announced that Greater Manchester will be provided with an allocation of £243 million over four years as part of the Transforming Cities Fund. This funding will provide Greater Manchester with the flexibility to make strategic decisions on the priority transport projects, and help to improve connectivity and reduce congestion in the region. 

As part of the agreement, the Government will also invest £28m in Housing First pilots in three areas across England, one of which will be in Greater Manchester. This will support rough sleepers with the most complex needs to turn their lives around.

The agreement outlines Government’s commitment to working with Greater Manchester to develop a local industrial strategy. This will be a long-term vision for growth, based on robust evidence and focused on raising productivity and earning power in the area. It will be underpinned by strong cooperation between national Government and the private sector, local leadership and key institutions.

The Government and the GMCA have also committed to work together on a range of other policy areas.  These include Trade and Investment, Housing, Skills, Offender Management, and Employment Support.