Chancellor George Osborne is set to foist a ‘metro mayor’ on Greater Manchester in return for greater control over key levers of economic growth, it has emerged.

Reports in the national press today suggest the Treasury is putting the finishing touches to a new devolution deal to be agreed with the ten constituent councils Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

This would build on the existing City Deal already struck with GMCA and would hand local leaders more influence over housing, schools, science and skills, as well as roads and rail transport, sources have claimed.