I’m looking forward to driving the next stage of devolution. We laid the foundations through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, which established devolution by default, introduced the right to request, and delivered £12 billion of integrated settlements alongside new mayoral authorities. The next stage must ensure that every part of the country can realise its full potential and that we raise our ambition on what powers, resources and freedoms are devolved.
There is a big job of work ahead to strengthen the foundations of local councils. That work began through the Fair Funding Review and the introduction of the Recovery Grant, both of which finally recognised deprivation as a driver of demand and cost for councils, alongside the first multi-year financial settlement for local government in over a decade. But the real test of success will be when local people see the vital services that make places thrive rebuilt in every part of the country.
I want to continue building respect for councillors and mayors, giving them the powers they need to get things done for their regions and communities, while ensuring that devolution reaches into the heart of every neighbourhood with empowered frontline councillors.
Above all, I want to ensure that the benefits of a Labour and Co-operative-led Government are felt in every part of the country, so that people see a real difference in the places they call home through grassroots economic growth, thriving community-owned assets and a stronger co-operative economy.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 