Martin Ford 05 January 2023

Starmer makes devolution bill pledge

Starmer makes devolution bill pledge image
Image: ComposedPix/Shutterstock.com

A swathe of new powers would be devolved from central Government under a Labour administration, leader Sir Kier Starmer has promised in a key speech.

Councils would be given more fiscal control and could benefit from devolution in sectors such as transport, energy and housing as part of a so-called Take Back Control Bill.

In a speech, Sir Kier attacked the short-termism of central Government and promised a 'huge power shift out of Westminster’.

He continued: ‘We will spread control out of Westminster; devolve new powers over employment support, transport, energy, climate change, housing, culture, childcare provision and how councils run their finances.

‘And we’ll give communities a new right to request powers that go beyond this.’

The party last month published a policy report outlining the creation of economic clusters as the basis for devolving powers.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday gave his first speech of 2023, in which he promised to halve inflation within a year, reduce national debt, grow the economy, cut NHS waiting lists and stop small boats crossing the English Channel.

This article was originally published by The MJ (£)

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