Who is the new Mayor of Greater Manchester?

Key Points:

• Bev Craig, who grew up on a Belfast council estate and moved to Manchester in 2003 to study politics, has a background in local government, higher education, and trade union leadership focused on social care.
• As Manchester council leader, Craig has overseen over a decade of sustained annual economic growth exceeding 3%, positioning Manchester as one of Europe's fastest-growing city economies.
• Despite criticisms over the lack of affordable housing amid new city centre skyscrapers, Craig's administration has built social housing for the first time in 40 years and improved local government services from "inadequate" to "good" by Ofsted standards.
• Crime and anti-social behaviour, especially in Piccadilly Gardens, have been ongoing challenges during her tenure, with a multi-million pound revamp project launched in 2026 to transform the area into a world-class space.
• As Labour’s candidate to succeed Andy Burnham, Craig's key campaign promises include freezing Metrolink and bus fares on the Bee Network, extending free bus travel to 11-18 year-olds, boosting local economies through a New High Streets Fund, and expanding affordable housing.