Statement from the Mayor on the Chancellor's Spending Review

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has issued a statement in response to the Chancellor's Spending Review, announced on Wednesday 11 June.

Mayor Andy Burnham said: 

“We made three big asks going into this Spending Review: better connectivity, both within Greater Manchester and with our neighbours; the biggest housebuilding programme in a generation to loosen the grip of the housing crisis; and backing for a 10-year pipeline to drive investment and regeneration across our city-region.  

“Yesterday's Spending Review was an endorsement from the Government of all three and we've now got the opportunity to turn them into a practical programme for a new decade of growth in Greater Manchester. 

“The Chancellor has given a big commitment to improving transport links across the North, and I'm confident that the plan the Mayor of Liverpool City Region and I put forward for the new Liverpool-Manchester Railway has landed. This will be welcome news for long-suffering passengers throughout the North West. 

“Yesterday’s £39bn investment in social and affordable homes over the next 10 years is a sign that the Government is serious about tackling the housing crisis. We will be seeking the biggest return for social housing from the funding available with an aim within the Spending Review period of building more social homes than we’re losing. 

“We knew that the Spending Review would not contain all the answers we need, and there is more work to do to translate it into a clear package of measures for Greater Manchester. We’ve had a strong endorsement for devolving more employment support through our Live Well plans, and we will be seeking agreement on a plan to become the UK’s Prevention Demonstrator – giving more practical support to help people back into work. 

“We will also be pushing for a firm commitment to the MBacc: our plan for an equal alternative to the university route in Greater Manchester. 

“Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK as a whole and is proving that devolution is the most powerful tool to deliver the next one. I’m confident the Government has this week laid the foundations for that and spreading the benefits of growth to all of our ten boroughs.” 

Article Published: 12/06/2025 14:10 PM