Local Government: Devolution

(asked on 27th January 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what discussions he has had with hon. Members representing constituencies in (a) Cheshire and (b) Warrington on devolution in those areas.


Answered by
Neil O'Brien Portrait
Neil O'Brien
This question was answered on 4th February 2022

The Government’s flagship Levelling Up White Paper was published on the 2 February and set out our plan to transform the United Kingdom by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it.

At the heart of the White Paper are twelve bold national missions, one of which is to ensure that devolution will drive activity to level up and strengthen communities. Every part of England that wants a devolution deal by 2030 will have one, with powers at or approaching the highest level of devolution, with a simplified, long-term funding settlement.

Devolution must be locally-led, it will not be imposed by Government. Building on previous discussions with my officials over the late summer, I hope that Cheshire & Warrington will actively consider the opportunities now available to them through the devolution framework. My officials will be pleased to discuss Cheshire & Warrington’s locally led proposals if they are interested in pursuing a devolution deal.

Reticulating Splines