Andy Burnham should be able to tax Greater Manchester residents directly to help pay for major transport infrastructure, a thinktank has said.

A new report by pro-devolution thinktank Centre for Cities has called for the government to allow regional mayors like Mr Burnham 'the right to request' to impose a new 'French-style payroll tax' to fund transport projects.

The tax, first successfully introduced in France's mustard powerhouse, Dijon, is a 'local top-up [which] goes directly to funding local infrastructure', Centre for Cities analyst Rob Johnson explained.

"An Ulta-Low Emission Zone or Clean Air Zone is based on use, so if you drive in you pay based on your usage," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"This French tax is fiscal devolution where local authorities will be able to raise funds on top of national taxation. 

"They will do a deduction on income tax, that could be set in some guardrails. That local top up will go directly to funding local infrastructure.

"Having that as an option will directly follow through: I can pay a bit more in my paypacket, then I can see where it goes. If I am not happy with the outcome I can make that known at the ballot box."

Centre for Cities has called for the government to allow regional mayors like Mr Burnham 'the right to request' to impose a new 'French-style payroll tax' to fund transport projects (Image - LDRS)

The mayor's office refused to be drawn when asked by the LDRS if it was supportive of the plans.

However, previously, Mr Burnham ruled out charging motorists to drive in Greater Manchester after a huge backlash met his proposals for a Clean Air Zone where some drivers had to pay to use the region's roads.

The Department for Transport said it would consider the move if it was proposed by a mayor.

A spokesperson said: "We'll always consider proposals from local leaders to further devolve powers where it makes sense for passengers and taxpayers. We're committed to working with mayors to better integrate local transport and improve services across their regions."

The report also said tweaking timetables to make it easier for passengers to hop from one mode of the Bee Network to another would mean 82,000 people will become 'better connected'.

But when the Bee Network expands to include train services, as is planned to happen by 2030, the number of people that get 'an easier 30 minute journey to access jobs and education opportunities in Manchester city centre' shoots up to 255,000, experts added..

Making these moves in Greater Manchester, and other major northern cities like Liverpool, Sheffield, and Leeds, could boost the UK economy by £17.4 billion annually, it's estimated.

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