Door is open for devolution deals, says Osborne
Author: Heather Jameson in the MJ |
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, told local government his door was ‘open’ for more devolution as part of the Autumn Statement announced in Parliament today.
He cited the Greater Manchester Combined Authority devolution deal as the frontrunner, and called for others to come forward. However, no further deals were announced today.
He told Parliament: ‘Six months ago people would have said it was completely impossible to get the 10 local authorities of Greater Manchester to come together with the government to agree a major devolution of power to the city and the creation of a new directly elected Mayor.