The Northern Powerhouse: the Tory buzzword for reinvigorating the northern economy has as one of its core components – alongside the large quantities of funding attached to the project – devolution of powers and the creation of metro mayors. Seven combined authorities quickly decided to jump on board.

Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, the North East, Tees Valley, the West Midlands and West of England signed up. More are likely to follow. The new mayoral positions include strategic powers for housing, transport and economic growth. The first elections are due first in May 2017.