Angela Rayner has defended Andy Burnham’s plans to give regional mayors more control over spending, rejecting claims that areas would have to compete for government money in a “Hunger Games”-style contest. She said the aim is for regions to use devolved funds to pursue their own priorities, while central government remains responsible for supporting major projects such as transport schemes.

Her comments came as Burnham opened “No 10 North” in Manchester, an outpost intended to drive policies including reindustrialisation and regeneration. Burnham, a long-time advocate of devolution, said he wanted to shift power away from Whitehall and give every part of the country more influence; he described the opening as the “best day of my life”, reflecting his personal connection to Manchester and its past economic difficulties.