Northern Powerhouse

Lord Maxton Excerpts

Tuesday 24th November 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

I thank my noble friend for that question. I was not aware that he had gone to Oxford in the recess—perhaps I should have been. He is absolutely right: town councils now feel very much more empowered in driving forward the future of their communities. So I am not surprised to hear that the particular town council he talked about was feeling very upbeat.

[Lord Maxton (Lab)]

My Lords, could the Minister explain the strange anomaly that seems to have arisen where her Tory Government grant devolution to local authorities, the northern powerhouse, et cetera, while the devolved Scottish Government are taking power away from local authorities in Scotland?

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, the Scottish Government will have to answer to their electors in due course.