Parliament and Central Government: Relocation

Debate between Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen and Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

Tuesday 29th November 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

Absolutely. The whole point about the northern powerhouse is that it considers everything in the round—businesses, artistic initiatives and tourism. It is meant to bring financial stability to the country in the round for all interested parties.

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister please stop referring to devolution when it comes to the northern and western English regions? All this Government have done is to transfer responsibility for carrying out government budget decisions. When will London and the south-east and its representatives here in Parliament stop micromanaging the rest of England, where we would like genuine devolution?

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

I am surprised the noble Baroness says that. That is what we are doing with devolution. We are not interfering. That is the whole point: for it to go out into the communities for them to be in charge of what they want.