Devolution push could saddle taxpayers with soaring salaries for regional officials
A Taxpayers’ Alliance analysis warns that Andy Burnham’s devolution plan may raise taxpayer spending on high-paid regional officials.
A recent Taxpayers’ Alliance study warns that the devolution agenda championed by Andy Burnham could drive up public spending on senior regional officials. Data from six combined authorities between 2019/20 and 2023/24 show a 200% increase in staff receiving at least £50,000, with Greater Manchester adding 385 such employees, a 236% rise. The West Midlands saw a 175% increase over the same period.
Salaries for heads like Caroline Simpson (£240,000) and Katharine Hammond (£220,000) exceed those of the Cabinet Secretary and Treasury chief. Overall staff costs across nine combined authorities have doubled to £341 million, with the West of England authority’s payroll jumping from £4.2 million to £20 million. Critics, including John O’Connell of the Taxpayers’ Alliance and shadow minister David Simmonds, argue the scheme creates an expensive new tier of government, while a government spokesman says local authorities set their own wages responsibly.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Address Commons on First Day Back
- Sep 3 Burnham announced a plan to extend devolution to all parts of England and to increase public control of utilities.
- Sep 3 During the opening of Reform UK's three-day conference in Birmingham, deputy leader Richard Tice warned against Chinese buses and goods, urging support for British manufacturing. Yet the nearby merchandise stall offered caps, hoodies and water bottles that were produced in China alongside items from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. Prices ranged from £5 for pins to £45 for hoodies, with a UK-made Nigel Farage tea towel costing £20. The speech also highlighted the party’s broader business agenda and its leader Nigel Farage’s recent controversies.
- Sep 4 Bond yields surged to their fastest rise since the 2022 mini‑budget, wiping out £12 billion of fiscal headroom.
- Sep 6 Burnham pledged to transfer failing utilities into public ownership.
- Sep 6 John Healey will launch a £150 million fund aimed at supporting university spin-outs and other high-growth companies across northern England.
- Sep 6 West Midlands Police have issued a call for the protester to come forward to assist their inquiry.
- Sep 7 Healey also pledged steps to curb borrowing costs, energy bills, regulation and labour expenses on UK businesses.
- Sep 9 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will not trim social security programmes to meet the 3 % of GDP defence spending goal and gave no timetable for reaching it.
- Sep 9 Burnham publicly rejected the welfare‑cut funding plan.
- Sep 13 Burnham faced his first Prime Minister's Questions where opposition members pressed him on funding for his agenda.
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