The Newshound

Burnham vows to end mayors going 'cap in hand' to Westminster with £285m pot in Wednesday's Budget

John Healey is expected to raise the bank profits levy from 3% to as much as 8%, with the tax burden forecast to hit its highest level since 1948 in 2028.
John Healey is expected to raise the bank profits levy from 3% to as much as 8%, with the tax burden forecast to hit its highest level since 1948 in 2028.

Chancellor John Healey plans to direct more than £1 billion into social and affordable housing through Wednesday's Budget, taking the ten-year homes programme beyond £40bn. A new £1.5bn borrowing facility will be made available to mayors to accelerate major projects. Healey argues that English regions have 'untapped and wasted' potential, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham describes his approach as 'devolution by default'.

Strategic authorities will receive a further £150m next year to build their capacity.

Burnham is also pointing local leaders to new ways to raise money, including an overnight levy on hotel stays.

The number of children in temporary accommodation has hit a record 177,500, up 5 per cent in a single year.

MoreHuffPost UKAndy Burnham Vows Local Leaders Will No Longer Have To Go 'Cap In Hand' To WestminsterThe IndependentEnglish mayors to get new powers and more funding to boost regional growthMorning Star | The People’s DailyBudget set to boost social housing and expand the powers of England’s mayors - Morning Star | The People’s DailyGB NewsBudget 2026: Mayors given new powers to harness 'untapped and waste' potential of England's citiesBBC News - WalesWales needs budget boost, says finance ministerReutersUK budget set to hand English mayors new borrowing powers, growth funding - Reuters
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