Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

English Devolution and Local Recovery: White Paper

Monday 5 October 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial intent to publish White Paper on English devolution and local recovery in due course.
  • Government expresses pleasure in progress made by combined authority Mayors but acknowledges more work is needed.
  • Minister confirms White Paper will outline plans for devolution in the current Parliament and is open to feedback.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of progress in publishing the White Paper on English devolution which could empower local leaders to make transformative changes.

Question

When does he plan to publish the White Paper on English devolution and local recovery?

Answer from Luke Hall

The Government intend to bring forward the English devolution and local recovery White Paper in due course, setting out how we will partner with places across the UK to build a sustainable economic recovery. I was very pleased to see that the parliamentary order to implement the Sheffield city region deal in law was made in July.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for publishing the White Paper

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Q2 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Scotland Wales Local Government
Context

The MP is calling for the Government to commit to place-based, multi-year, flexible budgets in the White Paper to properly empower local and regional leaders.

Question

Does he agree that to properly empower local and regional leaders, the Government should commit to place-based, multi-year, flexible budgets so we can better deliver for our communities?

Answer from Luke Hall

We are genuinely pleased with the combined authority Mayors and the progress that they are making, but of course, we recognise that there is more to do. We will publish the White Paper in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to place-based budgets and timelines for publishing the White Paper

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Q3 Kate Hollern Lab
Scotland Wales Local Government
Context

The MP is questioning whether the Government's recent broken promises to councils are addressed in the White Paper and if it honours the manifesto pledge of empowering local communities.

Question

Can the Minister confirm that the White Paper honours the Conservative manifesto pledge, and that local leaders will have the powers to decide what works best for their communities?

Answer from Luke Hall

We see the devolution and local recovery White Paper as an exciting opportunity to lay out our plans for devolution in this Parliament. We will bring it forward in due course, and I am very happy to listen to her representations about what should be in it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific confirmation on manifesto pledge and powers for local leaders

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