Osborne wants devolution for English cities

English cities must now take control of their own affairs, the chancellor will say later today in his first major speech since the general election.

“The old model of trying to run everything in our country from the centre of London is broken,” George Osborne is expected to say.

“It’s led to an unbalanced economy. It’s made people feel remote from the decisions that affect their lives. It’s not good for our prosperity or our democracy.”

Above: Manchester town hall (Getty Images)

He will say to places outside London: “I say to these cities: it is time for you to take control of your own affairs.”

The chancellor will promise “radical devolution” for cities to allow them to grow their local economies under the proposed cities devolution bill, to be included in the Queen’s speech later this month. It will form part of the so-called “northern powerhouse” vision.

Manchester’s 10 councils agreed last year to a mayoral election for the area – two years after Manchester voters rejected the idea of a city mayor.

Mr Osborne has previously said that devolution must go hand in hand with the establishment of an elected mayor.