New criminal justice powers for Greater Manchester

Interim Mayor Tony Lloyd has welcomed new criminal justice powers for Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is to become the first English region to get new powers over the criminal justice system.

Chancellor George Osborne used the Budget to announce further devolution of powers to the area.

The change means decisions on offender management, education in prisons and work with youth offenders will be made locally.

Greater Manchester Interim Mayor Tony Lloyd said: "I am pleased that Greater Manchester will take on a greater role in shaping and delivering criminal justice services and have greater influence over funding to support victims of crime.

"What we want to know is that there's no loss as we move through into the long-term future... what we can't have is the government taking away the money that keeps our public services going."

The Chancellor also announced the region will get a new prison.