CHANCELLOR George Osborne has today announced a new 'Cities Devolution Bill' offering English cities the chance to follow in the footsteps of Greater Manchester by gaining powers over transport, housing, policing and planning - but only if they adopt an elected mayor.

The Chancellor's Cities Devolution Bill will be included in the Queen's Speech on May 27

"I will not impose this model on anyone," said Osborne, "but nor will I settle for less."

Speaking today in Manchester's Victoria Warehouse during his first post-election speech, Osborne said "the old model of trying to run everything in our country from the centre is broken" and invited other major city leaders - including Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield - to embrace his 'radical new model' for city government.

During his speech the Chancellor said Greater Manchester should act as a 'blueprint' for this new city model.

"Greater Manchester has agreed to have a mayor as part of our Northern Powerhouse - and this new law will make that happen," said Osborne. "My door now is open to any other major city who‎ wants to take this bold step into the future.

"This is a revolution in the way we govern England."

.In February 2015 George Osborne and Sir Richard Leese signed the memorandum of understanding for the devolution of the region's NHS budget

In November 2014, the ten councils of Greater Manchester agreed to elect a mayor to preside over regional affairs and take control of billions of pounds worth of public money. A move the Chancellor described as "a massive moment for the north of England".

Under the newly devolved powers Greater Manchester will take control of its £6bn health and social care budget and £1bn of transport and skills spending. The mayor will be elected in 2017, while an interim mayor will take charge from June.

Elsewhere, Core Cities leaders from the ten largest city economies outside London in England, Scotland and Wales - Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield - launched a ‘Devolution Declaration’ in Westminister today, calling for a 'radical modernisation' of the UK's over-centralised state.

Leader of Manchester City Council and chair of Core Cities UK, Sir Richard Leese, said: “If the new Government is serious about economic growth and deficit reduction, it should prioritise maintaining a dialogue with us. Our offer is to work with them to rebalance, reform and renew Britain.

“Rebalance and grow the economy to create more jobs and eliminate the deficit. Reform public services to improve outcomes and reduce costs through better coordination of funding and services, focusing on people and place. Renew democracy to give people a major stake in their own future.”

The Chancellor's Cities Devolution Bill will be included in the Queen's Speech on May 27.