Burnham unveils £700m million to drive re-industrialisation in latest devolution push
Andy Burnham has announced a £700 million Strategic Sites Accelerator to support industrial and commercial development, as part of a wider push to devolve powers and encourage growth across the UK. Mayors and local leaders will help choose up to 10 sites, with the aim of removing obstacles that have deterred investment.
The programme will provide support with planning, grid connections and finance, and aims to attract up to £2 billion in private investment and support tens of thousands of jobs over time. Glasgow, Burgess Hill and Sheffield are among the locations already being considered, with sectors including advanced manufacturing, technology, defence and life sciences. The announcement comes as the government advances new devolution agreements and plans for mayoral authorities to retain a share of local basic-rate income tax revenue from April 2028.
In short
- £700 million will support up to 10 UK industrial and commercial sites.
- The scheme aims to attract £2 billion in private investment.
- New devolution plans would let mayors retain local income tax revenue.
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The case for
A £700 million accelerator could help unlock industrial sites that private investors might otherwise avoid because of planning delays, poor grid connections or financing gaps. Giving mayors and local leaders a role in choosing sites may better match investment to regional strengths, attract further private capital and create skilled jobs beyond established economic centres.
The case against
Public funding and tax revenue retained locally have opportunity costs, so directing substantial support to selected sites may be less effective than investing in services or infrastructure with broader benefits. The programme’s projected private investment and job gains are uncertain, and choosing a limited number of locations risks favouring some areas or sectors without guaranteeing lasting growth.
Explained simply
Andy Burnham is the mayor of Greater Manchester, one of several elected mayors in England who oversee regional decisions alongside local councils and the national government. Devolution means transferring some powers and funding from Westminster to local leaders, so they can shape services and economic development in their areas.
Industrial and commercial projects often need suitable land, planning permission, reliable electricity connections and funding before companies will invest. The proposed programme is intended to help local leaders address those practical barriers across sectors such as manufacturing, technology and life sciences.
The plans sit within a wider debate about how much control and revenue regions should have over their economies. Supporters of devolution argue that local leaders can target investment to local needs, while the arrangements also raise questions about how funding and decision-making are shared across the country.