Greater Manchester and Liverpool were among the first areas of England to undergo urban devolution. Under the leadership of metro-mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, they were in the forefront of attempts to 'level up' the north and to address the problem of regional inequalities. This book looks at how the metro-mayors evolved their office, examining the fields of economic development, transport, skills, health, housing and spatial reform and the environment. In the case of Greater Manchester, it also explores health and the reform of public services. Addressing the crucial issues of power, resources, partnerships, central-local relations and local democracy, the book concludes with an assessment of the future prospects for a deeper and more fundamental change in the character of the English state.

Reviews

'Overall, this is an excellent book that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of devolved governance in England. It is essential reading for those interested in the evolution of local governance and devolution in England, central-local relations and territorial politics more widely. The analysis underlines the validity of the much-quoted dictum, 'devolution is a process, not an event'. I very much look forward to volume two on the second mayoral terms.'
Paul Anderson, Regional & Federal Studies

1 Introduction
2 The missing middle
3 Defining the office
4 Economic development and inclusive growth
5 Transport policy
6 Skills policy
7 Public services reform and health and social care
8 Housing, spatial strategies and rough sleeping
9 The environment
10 Who Governs in Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region?
11 Doing politics differently
12 Whither (what) devolution?
Index

Authors

Georgina Blakeley is Director of Teaching and Learning at the University of Huddersfield

Brendan Evans is Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Huddersfield