Chancellor George Osborne is set to announce plans for a new mayor for Greater Manchester, as devolution rhetoric builds before the General Election.

According to the Financial Times, a deal for Greater Manchester is reportedly being finalised that could see northern leaders handed more powers over education, housing and local growth.

Plans expected to be announced next week could see a new 'metro mayor' sitting on the board of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Such a move would build on devolution commitments lodged by all three political parties in the run up to next year's General Election.

Debates over the creation of a 'northern powerhouse' this week saw the Government backing plans for a High Speed 3 rail link between Leeds and Manchester. Proposals were also laid out for the second phase of HS2, with an eastern leg travelling north from Birmingham to Leeds and a western stage from Manchester to Crewe.

The Treasury told the paper: 'The chancellor has made clear in a series of speeches he is in favour of mayor for our great northern cities.'

Labour leader Ed Miliband today revealed plans to hand city regions power over integrated bus services, in a move that would support adoption of London style Oyster card smart ticketing across the country.

Cllr James Lewis, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transport Committee, described Labour's devolution plan as a 'breakthrough moment for bus users in the city regions'.

'Being able to plan, develop and oversee public transport is a fundamental building block of any credible plan for meaningful devolution. It's taken for granted by London and cities right round the world, and we are delighted that the momentum is growing that our city regions should have the same powers,' Cllr Lewis added.