Three Yorkshire mayors have welcomed plans by Prime Minister Andy Burnham to give English city-region mayors a share of income tax revenue and wider control over transport, housebuilding and youth employment. The proposals are intended to shift power from Westminster and provide local leaders with more stable, long-term funding, although questions remain over whether they will substantially reduce regional inequality.

South Yorkshire’s Oliver Coppard said the change would allow longer-term investment and borrowing without raising local income-tax rates, while West Yorkshire’s Tracy Brabin and York and North Yorkshire’s David Skaith highlighted potential improvements to skills, homes and public transport. Mayors currently rely mainly on central government grants; they are expected to retain some business-rates revenue from April 2027 and receive a portion of income-tax revenue from April 2028. Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised the announcement as lacking detail and offering no new money.