The starting gun was fired last February. For the first time since Boris Johnson led the Conservatives to a decisive victory at the polls, the government set out how it plans to deliver its 'defining mission' – Levelling Up the United Kingdom.
The Labour mayor has also called for more streamlined funding, suggesting a single block grant similar to the financial arrangements in Scotland and Wales. But more than a year after the Levelling Up White Paper was published, the Trailblazer talks - which were set to signed by 'early 2023' - are still ongoing.
Mr Burnham has been full of praise for the Conservative minister. Earlier this year at a major regional convention in Manchester, the Tory MP joked that the pair agreed on so much that it could be 'fatal' for the Labour mayor's career. Insiders are optimistic that Greater Manchester will get much of what it wants from these negotiations, but officials have remained tight-lipped throughout. Time is ticking though, with less than two months left until the local elections which come with a ban on big political announcements in the weeks before it.
Setting out his demands in a speech in London last summer, Mr Burnham told the Royal Society for Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce that investors always want to know how much influence he has over the local labour market. The Department for Education currently controls the funding for post-16 training courses – including T Levels, which one source says Mr Burnham is 'obsessed' with. This new type of qualification - an alternative to A levels and apprenticeships - is created with businesses who influence the skills learnt.
Local leaders have said that giving Greater Manchester more control over the skills in the labour market - which has been a long-standing ask that predates Mr Burnham's time as mayor - could be the biggest triumph from these talks. But first, they must convince government officials to hand over more powers.
"There is an argument that if everything exists within an overall centralised system, it's easier to shift resource to those poorer areas. I think that is wrong, but nevertheless I can understand that that concern comes from a place that is motivated by the right values, not the wrong values."
AndyBurnhamGM I moved away for 30 years. My return was a shock. I hardly recognise central Manchester, can’t find my way, and I hate the Trafford Centre. Stop changing it, it’s NOT for the better. If you must install cycles lanes at least repair what’s been ripped up. The roads are awful.
AndyBurnhamGM You are a joke if you think you can manage buses when you are letting them completely stuff their passengers with appalling service
AndyBurnhamGM He’ll finish Manchester off this clown!
AndyBurnhamGM Manchester people who voted for Andy have themselves to blame, you voted for this dictator, you could have removed him, so don't cry that he's milking every penny he can from you, this is what labour do. Council tax rises pay for his vanity projects for his mates. BurnhamOUT
He has been disaster for gm he’s failed at everything he’s done he needs getting rid of sharpish
He already has too much power , a post nobody wanted,and a man very few want.
Wef that's why
Failed in everything he’s done be it at Westminster or Greater Manchester.
An awful man for pushing people into poverty with the upcoming unnecessary GM CAZ - constantly taking PR pics, probably has an image consultant. He’s part of the masons and was near me at Brianna Ghey vigil for media PR shots yet again…AndyBurnhamGM I’d love to chat to him!
He would have more chance of hitting the moon with a ball s**t than changing Greater Manchester. Burnham is a complete failure
He needs to resign , he is doing more damage than good , and with more power it will be a disaster
No thanks - he’s already trying to implement a stealth congestion charge - Andy Burnham with more powers will impoverish the residents of GM even more with more stealth taxes to support his & the Labour Party’s crackpot schemes
Won’t respond to any of this will you Andy lad-give him an arse kicker though and he’s all over it
The people voted no to the congestion charge. Then Burnham brings in the cameras. He needs to be replaced.
Piccadilly Gardens should be the priority. It should be our Trafalgar. It’s a massive part of the city centre and is a dirty scruffy shithole.
No consultation or public opinion taken in to consideration in anything. His dictatorship continues! Killing SMEs businesses & livelihoods It’s time for accountability within local government! SuellaBraverman GBNEWS 10DowningStreet ukhomeoffice
AndyBurnhamGM To change the subject slightly, I visited Manchester centre for the first time, arriving by train. I suggest greening Major street car park would be uplifting and show off interesting buildings as well as established trees
I’d also love to know what the 92 people who work for him directly do.
Can you imagine the disaster if he got more power. We would all be paying £10 a day to drive our cars. Sorry no the mayor's need less power, you only need to look at London and the damage that's been done.
CAZ plan FAILED, GMP mess FAILED, Grooming scandals FAILED, 2 bike hire schemes FAILED. Is there no end to this charlatans BS
So when's the knife crime being sorted out AndyBurnhamGM ?
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