'I’m The Prime Minister. Here’s How My Government Will Deliver Growth In Every Postcode'

I’ve spent enough of my life going cap in hand to Westminster to know it’s no way to run a country. I was Mayor of Greater Manchester for a decade. And I lost count of the amount of times we had the ideas and ambition to get things done but still had to ask someone in London for the funding to make it happen. We’re now putting an end to that so we can finally get good growth in every postcode. New Good Growth Funds will give local leaders more freedom to invest in their communities.

These will be backed by an initial £285 million of funding next year and, on top of that, we’re setting up a new £1.5 billion fund that mayors will be able to borrow from to get major projects off the ground in their areas. And for the first time, funding will also be available to areas in the process of setting up strategic authorities so no postcode is left behind. That could mean new homes where they’re desperately needed. Bringing empty shops and left behind high streets back to life.

Improving the transport links that give people a chance to get out there and find opportunities. Or it could mean something completely different. Because that’s the whole point. It should be local people deciding what their areas need, not someone sat behind a desk in Whitehall. We’re also giving local leaders new ways to raise money of their own. Take the overnight visitor levy, which will allow them to introduce a small charge on hotel stays and invest that money back into their own areas.

Already, we’re seeing just how much of a difference that could make. Just look at what Steve Rotheram is planning in Liverpool. He wants to build on the city’s proud music history, with a new Beatles attraction that will undoubtedly bring in visitors from across the globe. And by using these new powers to raise money locally, as well as having more freedom to borrow, Liverpool will have the tools it needs to really go after that ambition.

That’s what I mean when I say every place is different. Liverpool has the Beatles. Other places have their own strengths and opportunities. And nobody understands the challenges and potential of a place better than the people who call it home. The government’s job is simply to back them. That’s why, when I became prime minister, I gave every one of my ministers the same instruction: if a decision can be made closer to home, it should be.

Devolution by default. That’s the principle behind this weekend’s announcement. And it builds on the changes we’ve already set out to give local leaders and mayors greater control over transport, housing and skills, as well as a share of the income tax generated in their areas. This is a key element of my theory of growth. It starts by retaking control of the essentials that make a place work or not. Because you’ve got to have that control over the fundamental things that everybody needs.

And from there you devolve more power to places to put them in charge to decide their own destiny. And then in doing those things we optimise the conditions for businesses to grow and make sure we support our people so they are there for our businesses to employ. This is how we’ll get more homes built, more businesses growing, and more people into good jobs. It’s how we’ll give young people the chance to get on in the places they grow up.

And that’s how we’ll give our communities what they deserve: good growth in every postcode. Andy Burnham is the prime minister, leader of the Labour Party and the MP for Makerfield. Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.