Major boost for three UK areas as Andy Burnham hands out £285m
Major boost for three UK areas as Andy Burnham hands out £285m The money will be provided through a new Good Growth funding scheme. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Ciaran McGrath , Senior News Reporter 22:30, Sat, Oct 24, 2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Image: Getty) Three UK areas are in line for a major cash boost as Prime Minister Andy Burnham prepares to hand local leaders greater control over £285million to drive economic growth. The Greater London Authority and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority will be among those benefiting from plans to give local leaders more money and powers to invest in their communities. The Government says the move will end the need for local authorities to repeatedly go cap in hand to Westminster for funding, allowing decisions on housing, transport and struggling high streets to be made closer to the communities affected. Chancellor John Healey will set out plans at the Budget to unlock growth across Britain by giving local leaders greater control over their economic futures. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Andy Burnham discusses Jackdaw gas field The 9 items Brits must stockpile after new warning Pensioners are furious at this 'sneaky' Budget move that will leave them much poorer As an initial step, £285million in transitional funding will be allocated next year to support mayors and local leaders across England. The money will be provided through a new Good Growth funding scheme, giving local authorities greater flexibility to decide which projects deserve investment without having to seek permission from Whitehall. The funding could be used to build much-needed homes, revive empty shops and struggling high streets, or improve transport links to help people access jobs and other opportunities. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Areas which have yet to become strategic authorities will also be able to access a share of the money to support projects designed to stimulate growth during the transition period. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The Government says the plans will reduce reliance on fragmented funding pots, which currently require local leaders to bid for money from Whitehall. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Get top stories from The Express sent straight to your phone Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Ministers will also confirm plans to work with mayors on a new £1.5billion borrowing facility from 2028, giving them access to the capital needed to finance major local projects. Mr Healey said: “Local people have the right to decide their own future. London and the South East is full of potential – but it has gone untapped and wasted while money and power has been held in Westminster. “Mayors and local leaders know what their communities need to grow, which is why we are giving them more money, more power and more capacity to get projects moving, build homes and make the right decisions for their areas. “By putting more power and funding into local hands, we can unlock growth, create opportunity and restore hope for the future in London and the South East.” London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the plans, saying they marked an important step towards giving local leaders greater control over their finances. He said the additional investment powers could help unlock major infrastructure projects, including the proposed West London Orbital and Bakerloo Line Extension, Stratford International and an extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead. Mr Khan said the projects could support tens of thousands of new homes, jobs and economic growth. The Government will also provide strategic authorities with a further £150million next year to strengthen their capacity as their responsibilities and powers expand. The funding is intended to help mayors build up the expertise and resources needed to manage larger budgets, deliver more complex investment programmes and make full use of their devolved powers. Andy Burnham Sadiq Khan Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments