• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Tuesday July 9 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

West devolution on cards as metro mayors visit Downing Street

Devolution of government powers to regional mayors in the West and elsewhere was on the agenda today (Tuesday) as regional mayors visited 10 Downing Street for a high-level meeting with the prime minister.

Labour has made growing the economy one of its five missions for government. The meeting at 10 Downing Street today – the government’s fifth day in power was the first time that the 12 metro mayors had gathered together at the seat of power.

Among the mayors who assembled in Downing Street was West of England metro mayor Dan Norris.

Labour has made growing the economy one of its five missions for government. The meeting at 10 Downing Street today – the government’s fifth day in power was the first time that the 12 metro mayors had gathered together at the seat of power.

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.

“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.”

The deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, asked the metro mayors to identify local specialisms which will form part of new Local Growth Plans.

She also told metro mayors that “the government’s door is open to those areas who want to take on devolution for the first time,” telling the mayors the government is “committed to widening devolution to more areas, encouraging more local authorities to come together and take on new powers.”

“For too long a Westminster government has tightly gripped control and held back opportunities and potential for towns, cities and villages across the UK,” she said.

“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.”

Mr Norris, who last week became MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, a role he says he will conduct in tandem with being metro mayor until May, said: “The prime minister meeting regional mayors is a positive example of the new government hitting the ground running.

“I have been delivering on skills, the environment and transport for the last four years and look forward to working with a Labour government with the same priorities.”

With growing business support for greater regional powers Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, recently put the case for greater powers for the regions in an article for Business Biscuit.

Latest: West of England mayor to discuss regional economy with PM