All regional Mayors in England will come together in 10 Downing
Street this morning [Tuesday 9 July] to begin the process of
shifting power out of Westminster through a major programme of
devolution that will power up all corners of the country.
In their first roundtable, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime
Minister will continue putting into practice the commitment for a
reset in relationships between central and regional governments,
focusing on public service, respect and collaboration.
Leaders will come together to discuss a new partnership approach
and agree early actions needed to scale up devolution and empower
regions to deliver change for their communities, helping to
unlock economic growth and tackle regional inequality.
The Deputy Prime Minister, will also use the meeting to
mark the beginning of the process of establishing Local Growth
Plans across the country. She will call on mayors to identify
local specialisms, and contribute to work on a national
industrial strategy.
Rayner will also say that the government's door is open to those
areas who want to take on devolution for the first time, with the
government committed to widening devolution to more areas,
encouraging more local authorities to come together and take on
new powers.
Prime Minister 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.”
The Deputy Prime Minister will tell mayors that local growth
plans are a whole-government priority, and begin work to ensure
that local leaders are involved in policy making across
government. Rayner will also say that the government's door is
open to those areas who want to take on devolution for the first
time, with the government committed to widening devolution to
more areas, encouraging more local authorities to come together
and take on new powers.
This follows the Chancellor's speech yesterday in which she
announced immediate action to fix the foundations of the economy,
rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.
This included a pledge to leaders of some of the UK's pioneering
industries to building growth on strong and secure foundations
built on stability, investment and reform, and forged through a
new partnership with the private sector.
Deputy Prime Minister said:
“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.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Today's meeting with regional English mayors follows the Prime
Minister's visits to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to meet
and discuss shared priorities with the leaders of the devolved
governments.
