Devolution: England

Lord Shutt of Greetland Excerpts

Wednesday 25th March 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, in terms of devolution in England—decentralisation in England—as local authorities and groups of local authorities take on their share of public funding, Barnett will actually change in terms of its distribution.

[Lord Shutt of Greetland (LD)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness has referred to various partnerships and deals. Is there not a gap, in terms of direct democracy, in dealing with that which is supposedly devolved in these areas?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, in terms of the first devolution deal, which is in Greater Manchester, the arrangements and relationships between the local authorities have been well established for over three decades. In terms of local engagement, the election of a mayor as the person accountable to government will add clarity to it.