I WOULD like to congratulate Andy Burnham on his successful campaign to be the first directly elected as mayor for Greater Manchester.

Like many people I was highly sceptical about plans for Greater Manchester devolution, so called Devo-Manc.

In recent years we have seen huge cuts to our public services.

This has included the closure of local libraries and children's centres, along with further deterioration of our roads.

Since 2010, we have seen the loss of 2,000 police officers from Greater Manchester Police.

Recently we have seen government plans to drastically reduce funding for 99 per cent of schools. There have been real concerns that rather than devolve any real power to the people of Greater Manchester the government might just be devolving responsibility for more cuts and austerity. Throughout Andy Burnham's campaign, he has not shied away from these concerns and promised to be a forceful advocate for the people of Bolton, Bury, Salford, Stockport, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Trafford, Tameside and Wigan.

Andy Burnham has highlighted that:

1) The government spends six times more per person on transport in the South than in the North.

2) One in four jobs in Greater Manchester pays less than the living wage.

3) Home ownership has fallen more sharply in Greater Manchester than anywhere else in the country — including London.

4) One in four children in Greater Manchester grew up in poverty.

With big responsibilities for transport, housing, health and social care, there is no doubt that the pressures on the new Mayor will be huge.

It is certainly a job that will benefit from Andy's wealth of experience and knowledge at the highest levels of government.

We can only wish him every success in his new role in helping to deliver some of the key changes our communities desperately need.

Joan Pritchard-Jones

Deane

Bolton