Question

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what steps he is taking to devolve power to small cities.

This Government has devolved more powers and responsibilities to cities and local government than any other Government in a generation. After two successful rounds of City Deals, the Government introduced Growth Deals to ensure that everywhere in England had the opportunity to negotiate for funding and the freedoms and flexibilities needed to drive their local economies.

So far, £7bn has been awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships through Growth Deals. £77.5m has been awarded to Gloucestershire, including £4.1m for the regeneration of Blackfriars in Gloucester, £4.7m for the Gloucester King’s Quarter Bus Station and £2m for Gloucester South West Bypass.