(Image: Supplied)
David Skaith has welcomed government plans to hand mayors a share of income tax revenue to spend on their cities.
York and North Yorkshire’s mayor said the proposals would take “more power and control out of London and into the hands of people who know their area the best”.
Andy Burnham is expected to announce the plans later this week, the Times reported.
The newspaper said Mr Burnham will outline greater freedoms for England’s 14 regional and metro mayors to secure his promise of “good growth in every postcode”.
It reported that while mayors will be given a share of income tax revenue to support job creation and local growth under Mr Burnham’s plans, they are not expected to receive new tax-raising powers.
Mr Skaith welcomed the expected announcement, telling The Press: “Giving mayors a direct share of the wealth generated in their area is a good thing. It takes more power and control out of London and into the hands of people who know their area the best.
“This is the confidence and trust that York and North Yorkshire needs to go from strength to strength and make the improvements to our communities that we all want to see.”
Meanwhile, the Labour mayor backed the new prime minister’s changes to the education system which will give 14-year-olds early access to technical education, skills training, work experience and connections with employers.
Mr Skaith said the move would “give more people the opportunity to stay in the county they call home”.
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Under the plans, regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges and employers will work together to shape the new technical education pathways, which can be tailored around local industries and growth sectors.
Mr Skaith said: "Too many young people have been let down by a school system that doesn’t give them the right opportunities to learn in ways that sets them up for work.
"Giving more people the option to start vocational learning earlier and lining that education up with businesses needs in our county will give more people the opportunity to stay in the county they call home.
"Whether it is our agricultural sector, the creative industries, rail innovation, or much more, more children and young people should get to learn the skills they need for the workplace earlier."
Prime minister Andy Burnham
(Image: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire)
Mr Burnham said Britain will “value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap” under the plans.
“For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected. The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications,” the prime minister said.
“I want an education system based on parity between academic and technical which gives all young people a clear path in life.”