Local Enterprise Partnerships have been urged to bid for a share of £1.8bn funding, after the latest round of local growth funding was released.

Yesterday, communities secretary Greg Clark announced local leaders can now apply for the next round of the Local Growth Fund to boost economic growth and create new jobs in their areas.

Mr Clark said: ‘With this offer of a Growth Deal to communities across the country, we’re backing this devolution revolution with billions of pounds, releasing vital investment in projects across the country to boost local skills, deliver new homes and create jobs.’

So far, £7.7bn of the £12bn fund has already been allocated to more than 900 projects across England.

Today, the NAO has published a report criticising the transparency of LEPs.