Why Andy Burnham’s devolution pledge will be tricky to deliver | Richard Partington

<p>Sharing income tax with England’s regional mayors could tackle inequality but many councils are ill-equipped for an enlarged role</p><p>On the road to Downing Street, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/andyburnham">Andy Burnham</a> promised to transfer power from Westminster to every postcode in the country. After his first two weeks in office, the size and complexity of this project are becoming clearer.</p><p>With a date set for the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/31/john-healey-budget-late-october">autumn budget</a>, the work of filling in the detail that will underpin his devolution plans begins – starting with his proposal to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/30/burnham-mayors-income-tax-business-rates-devolution">hand England’s regional mayors a share of income tax</a> to support local economic development.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/02/andy-burnham-devolution-pledge-tricky-deliver-inequality">Continue reading...</a>