Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that other local areas can receive the same control over their health budgets as the Greater Manchester area.

The NHS and local government in Greater Manchester brought forward their own proposals for joining up health and social care services. This is a genuine and historic partnership between local organisations which will improve services for people living in the area.

In the first instance Greater Manchester and NHS England will be using existing powers to devolve budgets and establish joint governance arrangements. The powers are available to do the same in other parts of England. Success relies on strong local leadership and the right approach will be different in other areas.

The Government supports proposals that seek to improve care by joining up services, but it is for local areas to bring forward proposals and not for central government to impose any arrangements.