Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that national investment strategies in [i] skills [ii] transport and [iii] infrastructure are at comparable levels between mayoral combined authorities and non mayoral combined authorities.

The government recognises the importance of ensuring that all areas have strategies in place, and can drive forward improvements in transport, skills and infrastructure. Areas not part of a combined authority still receive investment in skills, transport and infrastructure, and are required to produce the relevant strategies.

In addition, for those areas which want greater devolution without being part of a Combined Authority, the government has invited them to bring forward with their neighbours an expression of interest for a Foundation Strategic Authority.