Greater Manchester Combined Authority has set out more than £3 billion of spending plans to deliver the next year of “good growth” across the city region, focusing on stronger communities, better transport, greener neighbourhoods and improved opportunities for residents.
A £360 million package for the coming year will prioritise protecting renters, supporting local businesses, boosting skills and training, and helping young people access education, employment and training.
The region’s total £3 billion budget includes:
- £482 million for the continued rollout of the Bee Network integrated transport system
- Over £900 million for policing and community safety
- £313 million for Fire and Rescue services and mayoral priorities
- £187 million for waste and recycling
- More than £1.1 billion in capital investment to drive growth
The funding builds on Greater Manchester’s trailblazing devolution deals, which have helped fuel 3.1% annual economic growth since 2015, transforming the skyline and cementing the city region as the UK’s fastest‑growing economy over the past decade.
The plans align with the Greater Manchester Strategy, launched last year, which sets a mission for every resident to live a “good life” in a thriving region.
This involves a new model of growth that ensures all people and all places benefit – from investment in skills and housing to transport, business support and green infrastructure.
In November, Greater Manchester launched the UK’s first Integrated Pipeline for growth, identifying high‑impact regeneration, housing and employment projects underpinned by a £1 billion Good Growth Fund. The next funding round will be announced in March.
The region also continues its work as the UK’s first Prevention Demonstrator, gathering evidence to show that investing in prevention, rather than crisis response, delivers better outcomes and better value for public money.
A core focus of the plan is ensuring everyone has access to a safe, warm home.
Key investments include:
- £50 million towards housing support programmes
- £11.7 million to recruit specialist Empty Homes Officers to bring unused properties back into use
- Match‑funding for councils to recruit housing enforcement officers and trainees
- Continued piloting of the Property Check scheme in Salford
- £7.4 million to continue the Mayor’s flagship A Bed Every Night programme, providing 601 bed spaces for people experiencing homelessness
- £4 million to unlock strategic development sites across the six priority Growth Locations
Backed by £5 million, Greater Manchester will expand its preventative approach to crime, supporting trusted youth and community organisations to work with young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system.
The region will also continue implementing its plans to strengthen local policing.
Transport across the region will also be boosted, with a £482 million transport budget aiming to:
- Expand bus services under the Bee Network
- Maintain the £2 bus fare cap
- Remove pre‑9.30am restrictions for older and disabled passengers
- Provide free bus travel for children in temporary accommodation
- Launch local rail integration beginning in late 2026, with all stations joining the Bee Network by end of 2028
- Invest £6 million in its TravelSafe policing model, treating public transport as the region’s “11th District”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said:
“We’re focused on delivering the mission we set out last year: a new decade of good growth benefiting all of our people and places.
“As the UK’s fastest growing economy, we are using our pioneering devolved powers and flexibility over funding to invest in the priority projects and schemes that will achieve that mission.
“That means strengthening council teams to protect more renters and ensure everyone has the foundation of a good, safe home, connecting more young people to skills and training opportunities, and taking a more preventative approach to tackling inequalities across our city region.”
Further investment will be put into skills for residents of Greater Manchester, with £114 million for adult skills programmes, £18.4 million to help thousands of young people back into work, education or training, and localised support commissioned by the 10 boroughs to build personalised pathways for young people.
Under the £17.5 million Live Well programme, Greater Manchester will strengthen early‑help and community‑led support.
Each council area will receive a share of £5.8 million to grow local Live Well models, working with charities, faith groups and community organisations.
Investment to support innovation and commercial growth includes:
- A £79 million plan for new homes, employment sites and productivity
- A new £10 million GM Production Fund for the screen industries
- £5 million for the Greater Manchester Culture Fund
- New Build A Business libraries offering tailored support for entrepreneurs
Digital innovation and climate are also part of the plan, with the combined authority committing £5.3 million to its digital programme, and £6 million for climate and equality. The digital programme will boost online confidence and digital inclusion support adoption of AI solutions across public services, and improve safety, connectivity and energy efficiency across the region. Alongside this Greater Manchester will also progress delivery of the Government’s 7,000‑person AI and Digital Campus.
As part of the climate and equality programmes, funding will support the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, local eco grants for schools, and public‑building decarbonisation. As well as this, the region will see the return of the Green Spaces Fund, which has invested over £3 million in 100+ community projects since 2022.
The Mayor has also proposed updates to the Mayoral and Fire precepts and set out plans to grow five new high‑skilled growth clusters, supporting high‑value industries of the future.
Image credit: iStock
