News / Politics
‘Brexit makes it essential that elected regional leaders take back control’
Metro mayors from across the UK are calling for the Government to strengthen devolution by releasing funds to help regions deal with Brexit.
The cohort of elected leaders met at the Global Parliament of Mayors annual summit in Bristol, where they discussed a joint bid to appeal for the Shared Prosperity Fund, which is due to be set up following Britain’s exit from the EU, to be managed at a regional level.
Tim Bowles says Brexit provides an opportunity to take back control from Westminster
“We know our regions best and need additional funding, flexibility and tools to deliver for our communities,” argued Tim Bowles, the West of England mayor.
is needed now More than ever
“Brexit provides a real opportunity to take back control and re-think the way money flows from Whitehall to combined authorities.”
Bowles was joined by Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester), Ben Houchen (Tees Valley), Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region), Andy Street (West Midlands), James Palmer (Peterborough and Cambridgeshire) and Dan Jarvis (Sheffield City Region).
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was unable to attend, but added his support.
The call comes as mayors from across the world convene in Bristol to strengthen the voice of cities and the integral role they can play in tackling key global challenges, including migration, health and urban security.
The Shared Prosperity Fund is intended to replace the EU Structural Fund, Local Growth Fund and potentially other funding streams, and is worth at least £2.4 billion a year.
In a joint statement, the cross-party group of metro mayors said: “Brexit makes it essential that directly-elected regional leaders take back control of funding from central government, ensuring devolution continues to both serve and empower communities.”
The cohort, which represents regions accounting for nearly 42 per cent of all British growth, argue the new fund must not “languish in Whitehall amidst red tape and bureaucracy”.
The mayors are also calling on the Government to move from decentralisation to full devolution, as existing funding and reporting structures are fragmented, complex and resource-intensive.
Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, said: “We are still one of the most centralised countries in the world. For the people I represent, Brexit won’t feel like Brexit if we take power back from Brussels just to give it to almost equally remote politicians and civil servants in London.”
Main image features: Dan Jarvis, Ben Houchen, Steve Rotheram, Patricia Greer, chief executive of the West of England Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership; Tim Bowles, Sarah Gibson, head of government and EU relations for the Greater London Authority; Andy Burnham, James Palmer and Andy Street.
Read more: Global Parliament of Mayors annual summit begins in Bristol
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