Greater Manchester’s mayoral council tax will increase by £16 for band D properties starting this spring, funding the continued expansion of the Bee Network public transport system.

The mayoral precept will rise to £128.95 annually for band D households, though most residents in lower-banded properties will pay less. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority confirmed the increase, which adds £11 specifically for Transport for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network costs and £5 for the fire service.

Andy Burnham defended the timing of the increase, explaining officials delayed implementation until Bee Network buses covered the entire city-region. “The decision was taken it would be unfair to ask everyone in Greater Manchester to contribute when not everyone was seeing the success of the Bee Network,” the mayor said Friday.

The increase had been planned as a two-year surge, originally including a £12.20 jump in 2025. Burnham argued the publicly-controlled transport system now delivers “better value for money then we got in our deregulated system,” with rising passenger numbers generating additional revenue.

Deputy mayor Kate Green warned fire service cuts necessitated the remaining portion of the increase. “The fire settlement is very difficult. It’s a reduction in budget in cash terms. It will require difficult decisions which this year will be able to address in reserves and efficiencies,” she told Trafford leaders.

Two-thirds of the mayoral precept funds fire services (£86.20 for band D properties), with the remaining £42.75 supporting transport and other mayoral functions. Burnham acknowledged the financial pressure on residents, stating: “These are difficult times and we remain conscious of the pressures on residents. At a Greater Manchester and district level we are looking to help to keep the pressure off as much as we can.”

All 10 Greater Manchester council leaders unanimously approved the precept increases at Friday’s GMCA meeting.

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