Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities in the West Midlands on the devolution of his Department's powers to that urban area; and if he will make a statement.

We have regular discussions with local authorities on a range of issues associated with localism.

I refer my hon. Friend to the recent command paper, Implications of devolution for England (Cm 8969) which sets our approach to further decentralisation in England.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implications-of-devolution-for-england

I would also note the recent Written Ministerial Statement on the governance of Birmingham City Council of 9 December 2014, Official Report, Column 27WS, which follows the review by Sir Bob Kerslake.