Labour is pledging to deliver a £30bn devolution deal guaranteeing new local powers over everything from new homes to public transport if it forms the next Government.
At the party’s local election campaign launch in Leeds the party unveiled plans to ‘reverse a century of centralisation’.
Its five-year Local Government Pledge includes handing local areas control over funding for training and employment schemes and the ‘first proper housing plan for a generation’ combined with new powers to ensure developers use their land – or lose it.
Every city and county region will be given ‘London-style’ powers over buses so that they can set everything from fares to routes. The pledge also includes setting up regional banks to provide support for enterprise and jobs.
Full details on the plans are expected imminently after shadow cabinet members Harriet Harman, Hilary Benn, Chris Leslie, Chuka Ummuna and Michael Dugher signed a covenant with Labour local government leaders.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said: ‘Labour will create regional powerhouses in every corner of the country. It will bring devolved powers in England closer to those enjoyed by Scotland and Wales.
‘Devolution from Whitehall is vital if we are to create the jobs needed for a truly national recovery. We want to give every city and county region in England the potential to take greater control over their destiny.
‘Our devolution plans go further than the Tories, who have yet again fallen short on their promises. This is the only way authorities in England will achieve the growth, jobs and prosperity they need.’
