Kerslake: North must not give up on devolution ambition

Lord Bob Kerslake, a former chief executive of Sheffield City Council, said the North should seek tax-raising powers - known as fiscal devolution,

A devolution deal covering the Sheffield City Region, which would have seen a new mayor for the area elected in May, was recently delayed until next year.

"Further devolution is also essential, especially fiscal devolution. We should not let the recent setbacks on devolution deals in some parts of the North be allowed to stall its progress."

"I think we must say that the strongest leadership for the next stage of the Northern Powerhouse needs to come from the North itself, from its businesses, universities, local government and its voluntary sector.

"What form that leadership takes will need some very careful debate. We don't want to create a new bureaucracy to replace old ones. But I think the need for co-ordinated leadership across the North is clear."