Draft East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024

Jim McMahon Excerpts

Wednesday 7th February 2024 General Committees

[Jim McMahon (Oldham West and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson. I confirm that the Opposition do not intend to divide the Committee on this statutory instrument.

The regulations establish the east midlands combined authority and are required in advance of the first planned combined authority mayoral elections in May 2024. We consider them to be important for the economic and social development of the region and its population. Indeed, we are excited and hopeful that our candidate, Claire Ward, will be the first east midlands mayor elected and, as mayors do up and down the country, will make a difference to communities.

However, it cannot be ignored that the financial pressures facing local government are profound, particularly in the east midlands region. The combined authority will only be as successful as the component local authorities beneath it. The Government really need to address the financial uncertainty in local government. We look forward to the statement on that matter in the Chamber later. It is a fact that devolution under this Government has been fragmented, piecemeal and has not gone far enough or fast enough. The powers and resources do not touch the sides of what is required for communities to have real control over their areas and their futures. Like much else, it continues the very siloed nature and begging-bowl culture of the Government’s funding allocations.

Labour would push power out of Westminster with a take back control Act that gives communities a direct say in their future. It will start by giving all mayors the powers and flexibility to turbocharge growth in their areas on matters such as planning, housing, transport, net zero and adult education. We will offer all places the right to negotiate with the Government for powers that have been devolved elsewhere. The principle will be this: no area will be left out, but equally no area will be held back. Areas that can move faster will be supported to do so. Only by doing this can we begin to give Britain its future back.