Speeches

Craig Whittaker – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Craig Whittaker on 2016-02-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential benefit to the local economies of North, East, South and West Yorkshire of a devolution deal.

James Wharton

The specific details of any devolution deals agreed with North, South, East or West Yorkshire would be contingent on the outcome of engagement between the Government and local leaders.

The benefits to areas that have agreed devolution deals with the Government will be significant and far-reaching. Local leaders will be given direct control over the levers of growth in their economies, with the most ambitious deals including new powers over adult skills and transport budgets, and substantial, long-term investment funds. By providing local partners with greater control over key policies and resources, devolution deals offer places more of the tools they need to drive forward growth for the benefit of the whole local economy.