Bev Craig has been inaugurated as the new Mayor of Greater Manchester, succeeding Andy Burnham. As the former council leader, Craig has been credited with overseeing a decade of consistent economic growth in Manchester, averaging more than 3% annually, which has positioned the city as one of Europe's fastest-growing economies.
Her tenure as council leader has also seen the local authority build social housing for the first time in 40 years, a move intended to address criticisms regarding a lack of affordable housing amidst significant city-centre development. During this period, children's services in Manchester were rated "outstanding" by inspectors in November 2025, marking a significant improvement from an "inadequate" rating in 2014. By 2022, the service had improved to a "good" rating.
However, Craig's career has also faced scrutiny over issues of crime and anti-social behavior, particularly in Piccadilly Gardens, a central public space. Despite multiple multi-million pound regeneration plans, including a new initiative launched in February 2026 to transform the area into a "world-class space," persistent incidents of violence have continued, even with high-profile policing efforts.
Craig, a member of the Labour party, was seen casting her vote in a previous mayoral election.
