Devolution is to be the topic of chancellor George Osborne’s first post-election speech, in which he will present the Cities Devolution Bill in Manchester today.
The speech will set out the government’s vision for creating a stronger Britain by devolving powers over housing, transport, planning and policing.
However, cities will be offered these powers only if they follow Manchester’s lead in electing a mayor.
Manchester will form the blueprint to what Osborne describes as a “radical new model of city government”.
The speech will serve as a further incentive for cities such as Leeds and Birmingham to allow elected mayors, which they have previously been resistant to do.
These new powers are being offered to counterbalance the new fiscal powers prime minister David Cameron is offering to Scotland.
