Go further and faster on devolution, Wolverhampton MP tells Chancellor

Emma Reynolds, shadow local government secretary and MP for Wolverhampton North East, said there was a danger the plan to hand over powers to the West Midlands was a 'smokescreen to bring local government to its knees'.

George Osborne has said the plan for the Black Country and Birmingham to team up along with Coventry and Solihull will mean more powers over funding, transport and attracting investment.

He wants the combined authority to be led by a region-wide 'metro mayor' but says it will not be mandatory. However he has also said that to get the 'full model' of devolution offered will require democratic accountability.

A deal has been done for a 'northern powerhouse' to be created by handing Greater Manchester control over billions of pounds worth of budgets.

Miss Reynolds said: "We want the Government to go further and faster on devolution. Rather than a series of one-off deals done by the Chancellor, we want a comprehensive plan for devolution to every part of England. Many county councils are worried about being left behind."

She said the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill 'does not actually devolve any power or resources and does not give local areas a choice on metro mayors'.

Miss Reynolds added: "If the Government were committed to real devolution and localism they would surely let local communities choose for themselves, rather than putting obstacles in the way of devolution.

"We know, after all, what councils can achieve when they are given the means and power. Councils across the country are working together and innovating to deliver better public services for less.

"To do more, local areas must have the resources that they need.

"Devolution must not be a smokescreen for bringing local government to its knees.

"The test for the new Secretary of State (Greg Clark) will be whether he can devolve power from Whitehall and deliver a fairer funding settlement for the whole of local government. His predecessor's (Eric Pickles) negotiating strategy could be summed up in three words: 'more cuts please'.

"As a result, local government suffered deeper cuts than any other part of the public sector. The only thing that the Secretary of State's predecessor devolved was the blame for decisions that he made in Whitehall."