What Burnham's devolution plans could mean for Birmingham

Moving power and money out of Westminster is at the heart of Andy Burnham's political project. As Labour meets in Liverpool, here is what his plans could mean for Birmingham and the region.

A Prime Minister who was a mayor

Mr Burnham was Mayor of Greater Manchester from 2017 until he returned to Parliament this summer. He has long argued that mayors and combined authorities should have more control over transport, skills, housing and health, and more freedom over how they spend money.

Where the region stands

Birmingham is part of a combined authority with Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Its Mayor, Richard Parker, was elected in 2024.

The combined authority already has powers over transport, adult skills and some housing and regeneration funding. Since 2025 it has received much of its funding through an integrated settlement, a single pot of money that it can spend more flexibly, rather than many separate grants.

What could change

The Institute for Government says Mr Burnham needs to explain how quickly more devolution can happen while public money is tight, and that the speed of change will have to match how ready each region is.

Possible areas for more local control include employment support, further powers over health and care, and responsibility for policing when police and crime commissioners are abolished in 2028.

What it means for the city council

Devolution to combined authorities affects councils too. Birmingham City Council runs services such as schools support, social care, bins and roads, while the combined authority leads on transport, including the buses it is preparing to take over.

The debate

Supporters say decisions made closer to home are better tailored to local needs. Critics worry about accountability and about whether mayors can deliver without more money.