Khan says Burnham 'gets it' on devolution and local powers

But the London mayor also warns he won’t be afraid to challenge the future prime minister on key issues if needed, reports Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter

Andy Burnham (left, credit Scottish government) and (right, LDRS image) Sadiq Khan

Andy Burnham “gets it” when it comes to devolving power to mayors and ensuring London’s success will benefit the whole UK, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has said.

However, Khan also said he won’t be afraid to challenge Burnham if he becomes prime minister and makes decisions that are not in the capital’s interests.

Burnham – who looks set to enter Downing Street this month – has long been a proponent of the government shifting powers away from Whitehall and towards locally-elected mayors and other leaders, such as Khan.

On Monday (29th June) the newly-elected Makerfield MP laid out plans to ensure mayors are given greater control over social housing, welfare and education budgets, instead of those powers staying with ministers.

City Hall figures were initially concerned that Burnham’s agenda would also involve shifting investment away from London and the south-east towards the north of England, with Khan stressing it was “crucial that the new Labour leader invests in every part of the country”.

However, in an exclusive interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) last week, Khan appeared confident that Burnham’s political journey means he “gets it” and said that he was looking forward to working with the former Greater Manchester mayor.

“I’ve worked with him in the cabinet, in the shadow cabinet, as a metro mayor and even on the football pitch,” Khan said. “He can see the difference we can make working together. I’m looking forward to working with Andy as the new prime minister.”

Khan has long been an advocate for City Hall receiving more decision-making and financial powers from the government – including demanding more jurisdiction over licensing, taxation revenue retention and housing arrangements.

But Khan has struggled to break ground on the issue during his time in office, despite recent wins over strategic licensing and the overnight tourist levy in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.

In a thinly-veiled message to Burnham, he stressed that the capital succeeding helps the whole country to succeed.

“My message is the same one that I gave to David Cameron, to Theresa May, to Boris Johnson, to Liz Truss, to Rishi Sunak and to Keir Starmer – when London succeeds, the rest of the country succeeds.

“I will work with you when it’s in our capital city’s interest, but I will challenge you when it’s not in our city’s interests. We contribute four out of every £10 in taxes raised by the government. We could contribute even more if there’s more devolution of powers and resources.”

Burnham’s first major policy speech since being elected as Makerfield MP, given in Manchester on Monday, revealed his wish to see the “biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times”.

This would include tens of thousands of government jobs being moved out of London to other UK regions, including a “Number 10 in the north”.

It could also see combined authorities allowed to keep 100% of any increase in business rates that they generate to attract investment into their areas.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said Burnham’s plan could help the capital’s housing crisis as it would ensure there is less migration from other cities to London, which “pushes up our housing costs and pushes up housing demand”.

Reed also said that the former Greater Manchester mayor “understands very clearly that when local areas get more control over decisions that affect them, they are better decisions”.

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