In this chapter, Andy Spinoza takes a closer look at Manchester’s devolution and what has come after. The announcement in 2014 was followed by a flood of funds into the city, despite the apparent conflict between a Conservative government and Labour council. The city region was given control of transport, planning, housing and economic growth, plus a £500m budget for further education and skills training. Despite the departure of long-standing chief executive Howard Bernstein, Manchester became even more of a draw for developers, including the former Manchester United player Gary Neville. But there are plenty of critics of the path the city’s development has taken, from activist group Manchester Shield to architecture writer Owen Hatherley.