New Greater Manchester Mayor Says Burnham Powers Will Change Lives

Bev Craig was sworn in as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester on Saturday, 1 August 2026, days after winning a by-election to fill the vacancy created by Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister. Craig pledged immediately to build on the expanded devolved powers Burnham secured during his tenure to deliver visible improvements in transport, housing, and healthcare for the region's 2.9 million residents.

A Historic Appointment

Craig, previously leader of Manchester City Council, becomes the first woman to hold the Greater Manchester mayoralty. Her victory in the Thursday by-election was decisive, with strong showings in the city's urban core offsetting more modest margins across the outer boroughs. She will now oversee one of England's most powerful sub-national governments, with responsibilities spanning transport, housing, employment, and an expanding role in health commissioning.

Burnham's Devolution Legacy

Andy Burnham's decade as Mayor was defined by a series of devolution deals with successive national governments that transferred substantial authority from Westminster to Greater Manchester. The Bee Network, an integrated public transport system combining buses, trams, and cycling infrastructure, is perhaps the most visible symbol of that era. Craig pledged to extend it further while using newly agreed housing and skills powers to tackle some of the region's most entrenched problems.

Priorities for the New Mayor

In her first address as mayor, Craig identified three immediate priorities: accelerating delivery of affordable housing across the ten boroughs, improving bus frequency and reliability on the Bee Network, and closing persistent health inequalities between Manchester's wealthiest and most deprived communities. She acknowledged the weight of the role and the expectations that come with it, but expressed confidence that Greater Manchester's institutional capacity and civic culture make it well-placed to lead the next phase of English devolution.