Millions of households could get cash payouts from local mayors under new No10 plans

NewsPolitics HOUSEHOLDS could be given cash rebates by mayors under new plans, just weeks after Andy Burnham appeared to rule out the idea. The Prime Minister slapped down Tory mayor Ben Houchen after suggesting using new tax levers to give money back to punters. Mr Burnham said: “No10 North is putting more power into every postcode across the country so communities can unleash and unlock their own potential.” Credit: Crown Copyright One of Mr Burnham’s first things he did as PM was launch a new Number 10 North Mr Burnham ruled out mayors becoming “mini-chancellors”. But No10 deputy chief of staff Caroline Simpson has left the door open to the idea, claiming officials are “working through some of those practicalities”. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Ms Simpson told Politico: “Flexibility about how that money is spent in a local area is going to be there … the absolutely technical ‘what does that flexibility look like?’ is going to have to be worked through.” Simpson was poached by Mr Burnham from her job as chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Her comments come as ministers push ahead with a mission to transfer power from Whitehall to England’s mayors. High-flying civil servants will be seconded to regional mayors to beef up their teams and run operations more effectively. Each mayor will receive between five and ten civil servants every six-to-nine month. Labour’s sport minister will help regenerate footy stadiums across the country with local authorities. Most read in The Sun Mr Burnham said: “No10 North is putting more power into every postcode across the country so communities can unleash and unlock their own potential.” Comment now