Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding devolution powers to district council areas.

The Government is committed to ensuring that every part of England can rapidly benefit from devolution, moving power out of Westminster back to those who know their areas best. The English Devolution Bill will establish an ambitious standardised framework and make it easier to provide devolved powers quickly to more areas. We expect all combined county authorities to work constructively with District councils in realising the potential of devolution arrangements in their area, especially where are common interests.