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

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are proposing to ensure that those living in the north of England in locations where there is no devolution deal do not lose out compared to those in areas where there is a devolution deal.

In the Levelling Up White Paper, Government set itself a mission to ensure that by 2030, every part of England that wants one will have a devolution deal with powers at or approaching the highest level of devolution, with a simplified, long-term funding settlement.

Devolution must be locally led, not imposed by Government. Areas without a devolution deal are able to consider whether seeking one would maximise opportunities for citizens, and we believe that the local government reorganisation process that Cumbria and North Yorkshire are currently going through will enable them to find the best governance arrangements for their locality.

While further devolution across the UK is a key Levelling Up mission, it is one of 12 missions and those areas that are not currently involved in devolution discussions will not miss out on Levelling Up activities. Places in the North without a devolution deal are still able to capitalise on growth funds such as the Levelling Up Fund, round two of which is currently open, and will receive their UKSPF allocations following the submission of their investment plans this summer.