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Andy Burnham has given his verdict on the budget, thanking Rachel Reeves for 'listening' to Greater Manchester. The Labour mayor has welcomed the news that he will be allowed to introduce a tourist tax - something he and others have been lobbying for for years.

The new visitor levy gives mayors across the country the option to introduce a 'modest charge' on people staying overnight in hotels, B&Bs and other types of accommodation with Mr Burnham saying the money he raises will be used for public transport among other things. The Greater Manchester mayor also praised the government for freezing rail fares and lifting the two-child benefit cap.

He argued that the policy, introduced by the Conservatives , has 'unfairly punished' parents with more than two children and pushed

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