The Prime Minister is meeting all of the regional mayors in 10 Downing Street to begin work on moving power away from Westminster.
This comes as the government looks set to drop the ‘Levelling Up’ phrase that was introduced by Boris Johnson, with the department becoming the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
As part of a major devolution programme that is aiming to ‘power up’ all parts of the country, the roundtable will see the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister aiming to reset the government’s relationship with local government through a focus on public service, respect and collaboration. Discussions will centre around a new partnership approach, whilst also agreeing on early actions that are needed to scale up devolution.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“My fundamental belief is that those with skin in the game are the ones who know best what they need. That’s why, for many years I have been in constant dialogue with metro mayors across the country about what works for their areas, and I will continue that now as Prime Minister.
“It’s also why I’ve made it a priority to meet with all metro mayors in my first week as Prime Minister. By resetting these crucial relationships and putting more power in the hands of local leaders, I’m determined to make sure they have the support they need to play their part in delivering economic growth in every part of the country.”
Also included in the meeting will be the opportunity for Local Government Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to begin the process of establishing Local Growth Plans across the country, This will see mayors identifying local specialisms, whilst contributing to working on a national industrial strategy.
Local Growth Plans are a priority for the government, with this being connected to yesterday’s speech from the Chancellor outlining plans to ‘fix the foundations of the economy, rebuild Britain, and make every part of the country better off.’
Deputy Prime Minister Rayner added:
“For too long a Westminster government has tightly gripped control and held back opportunities and potential for towns, cities and villages across the UK.
“That’s meant misguided decisions devastating the lives of working people, while our elected local leaders are forced to beg for scraps at the whim of Whitehall.
“It’s time to take back control, and this new government is focused on setting that potential free with a full reset of our relationship with local government.
“All of this starts with proper, grown up conversations with our regional Mayors, to make changes that help them deliver local economic growth with better housing, education and jobs for local people.
“Work will now continue at pace to deliver on manifesto commitments to transfer power out of Whitehall, and into our communities, with upcoming devolution legislation to take back control.”
Ahead of today’s meeting, the Mayor of the North East wrote to the Prime Minister to set out the priorities for the region. This includes a call for the Prime Minister to work urgently with her and the North East Combined Authority to take immediate action to end disadvantage and save jobs.
Outlined in a list of key expectations, the Mayor has asked that the government supports the following actions:
- Immediately work to safeguard the future of 800 rail jobs in the region by accelerating government contracts for new rolling stock
- Supporting projects to tackle child poverty
- Improving public transport
- Expanding the region’s green economy
- Going further and faster with devolution
Speaking about her region’s priorities, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“I vowed to fight for the North East on the national stage and end the days where our region is overlooked.
“So today I am wasting no time in both extending my heartfelt congratulations to the new Prime Minister and I’m asking him and his Cabinet to work together with me on making the North East the home of real opportunity.
“The North East cannot afford to wait if we are to make that vision a reality.
“I’m delighted that the Prime Minister has shown such early commitment to devolution and I’m very much looking forward to our meeting at Downing Street.”
Image credit: iStock
