'This was a historic moment for the UK - and it all happened thanks to Manchester'

Andy Burnham has hailed an 'historic' moment for the country that 'would never have happened were it not for Greater Manchester'.

The Greater Manchester mayor met with the Prime Minister in Edinburgh on Friday (October 11) alongside his fellow regional representatives and the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the first meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions. The Labour Party promised to set up the new body in their manifesto, that will meet twice a year, as an official forum for discussion.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News after the meeting, Mr Burnham paid tribute to the past leaders of our city as the 'first big pioneers of English devolution' without whom the 'historic' meeting would not have happened. Thanks to them and those who followed, he said, 'we're having a different conversation as a country about what can be done to change the way we work together'.

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He said: "In all my years in politics, including my years in the cabinet, seven and a half years as mayor of Greater Manchester, I've never sat around a table like that where the big economic centres of the UK, all represented having actually what turned out to be a very practical conversation about the collaboration we need to get growth. It was just something new for sure.

He added: "In the last Parliament we were living in a world of ad-hoc conversations. You kind of getting a meeting with a minister here, you grab a conversation there and you can't really advance your ideas and your interests - you can but it's difficult. When you have a bi-annual structured conversation about things you're able to move forward the Greater Manchester agenda.

"Finally Greater Manchester has got a different relationship with the centre. And everywhere else."

During the meeting, Mr Burnham said that he and fellow mayors spoke about further devolution and funding. His message was to 'set us up for growth now', arguing that Greater Manchester has proved that giving local leaders more power will boost economic growth.

He said that handing over control of the Department for Work and Pensions' employment support budget and investing in research and development are the 'most critical' demands. He also urged the government to extend bus funding which runs out in March.

The Labour mayor said he is 'hopeful' that he will get what he wants in the upcoming budget later this month. He also spoke of 'encouraging conversations' when it comes to devolution ahead of the government publishing its proposals in a White Paper.

One thing that was missing from the meeting, though, was the Prime Minister's former chief of staff. Sue Gray resigned last week after months of infighting in Downing Street and will instead take on the role as the Prime Minister's envoy to the nations and regions.

Mr Burnham said he did not know why Ms Gray was not at the Council of Nations and Regions meeting, but said that it had been an 'intense period' for her. He welcomed her move to the new role and said that he is still well-connected with others in Downing Street.

He said: "We don't see her as having gone. She's more focused on devolution. Actually, to have Sue focused on making this work is actually welcomed because we've always said she's been a game-changer. I am in touch with her. I really value what she brings. She's been hugely influential on this whole journey. As far as we're concerned, it's great to be able to continue working with her."