Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Instead of using Greater Manchester as a yardstick, all existing places with devolution deals should...
Conclusion
Instead of using Greater Manchester as a yardstick, all existing places with devolution deals should be offered the same powers as all others currently have. They may not choose to immediately take them up, but the option should be available. (Paragraph 50) Financial devolution
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Levelling Up White Paper sets out the Government’s mission to extend, deepen and simplify devolution across England so that by 2030, every part of England that wants a devolution deal will have one with powers at or approaching the highest level of devolution and a simplified, long-term funding settlement. We recognise there is no one size fits all model for devolution. Our flexible approach to devolution and the framework we have set out in the White Paper give areas the scope and flexibility to progress their devolution ambitions at their own pace. The devolution framework sets out an offer to all existing and future areas that agree devolution deals. Rather than being based on the powers of Greater Manchester, or any other mayoral combined authority, it provides a substantive, wide ranging offer which goes beyond that of any current area including new partnerships with Homes England and Great British Railways and a role in designing and delivering future contracted employment programmes. For the first time, non- mayoral devolution deals may have access to crucial functions such as bus franchising and control of the adult education budget. The functions set out in the framework cover a broad range of policy areas including linking businesses and the workforce, shaping the places in which we live, work and travel and keeping the public safe and healthy. They represent real progress in devolving decisions and funds. And the framework is designed to be dynamic so that it can evolve and be informed by devolution deal discussions over the coming years. The Government wants all areas to be able to access to the powers they need to drive levelling up locally. The White Paper includes plans to deepen the devolution settlements of the most mature institutions to give areas more autonomy and gaining greater competence in return for greater accountability and performance. The Government is looking forward to opening negotiations for trailblazer deals with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester Combined Authorities, which will provide a blueprint for other mayoral combined authorities to follow should they wish to do so.