Burnham accused of imposing ‘top–down’ devolutionBurnham has announced that a new devolution programme will be rolled out. PAAndy Burnham’s devolution agenda has been slammed over its “top down” approach after the Prime Minister unveiled new plans to share income tax revenue with local leaders. But his top-down Manchesterism will lead to higher taxes, with no guarantee of better outcomes for local people,” Cleverley said. “Devolution cannot be imposed from above – it can only work if it’s done in cooperation with local people. Sir Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, also hit out at Burnham making “big claims while being very short on detail”.