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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to make local economic partnerships more accountable to local people; and if he will make a statement.

Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) are independent bodies, supported by an appointed local authority, which acts as an accountable body. The LEP is responsible for the probity of local investment and spending decisions, while the accountable body must ensure proper, transparent decisions that deliver value for money and has the overall responsibility for the government funding allocated to LEPs.

Democratic accountability for LEP decisions is provided through local authority leader representation, with business community representation coming from the business leaders on each LEP board.

Government ensures uniform standards are met through the National LEP Assurance Framework. We have set out an enhanced role for LEPs, including leading on the development of local industrial strategies. As part of that we will be looking at all issues pertaining to their function, including their accountability.