Mr Burnham on Friday described the proposals as “the biggest shift of power out of Whitehall and Westminster” to regions across the UK. He said: “So devolution means getting people’s taxes to spend but not being allowed to give it back to them. Ministers will retain an equalisation system, so areas where less tax is collected continue to receive financial support. Mr Burnham told reporters that the plans “could mean transfer of personnel and capability into the regions”. The paper also said the Government will give regional mayors and authorities across England the power to introduce a tourist tax, which it suggested could collected and spent from March 2028.