Businesses back devolution drive

Local Voices, headed by the Core Cities Group, highlights examples of where greater freedom for cities like Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle and Liverpool has already brought benefits to local economies – and where current control has hindered growth.

The initiative, which puts additional pressure on the UK government to deliver substantial devolution, argues that having the power to make decisions on skills and training and transport is key to ensuring they can out-perform the national economy.

They say that deeper and faster devolution would create £222bn and 1.3 million jobs by 2030, and will allow them to out-perform the national economy.

The campaign, which comes following a recent summit with businesses from across the eight biggest urban areas outside of London, launched at a Parliamentary reception which was attended by Mr Johnson yesterday.

Sir Richard Leese, chairman of the Core Cities Group, said: “This campaign seeks to highlight the excellent work cities do and how with more freedoms we can make our community’s better places to live.

“Each of the case studies has benefited from decisions being made at a local level but at the same time have been hindered that the freedoms cities enjoy do not go far enough to enable them to make a real difference. The national economy needs our cities to succeed like never before in delivering jobs and growth, and reducing dependency on public services.

“To do so means going further and faster in devolving resources from the centre.”

Simon Murphy, manager of Premier Inn Leeds and Bradford, was among the ‘local voices’ who spoke about the need for devolution to help young people get into work, such as the Leeds Devolved Youth Contract.

He said: “Locally-devised and targeted skills programmes can significantly boost the number and quality of young people able to go on and have economically productive lives.

“We need greater influence to give far more young people meaningful training that firms are actively seeking.”

Sheffield businesses have also thrown their weight behind the campaign to bring decision-making powers back to local authorities.

Julie Dore, leader of Sheffield Council, said: “Sheffield’s businesses recognise the difference we could make to the local economy if only Government would give us the tools to do the job.

“Cities like Sheffield are where economic growth happens. They are the key sources of business, innovation, culture, research and employment in the country. But every city is different.

“How can civil servants in Whitehall know what is best for Sheffield’s economy? It’s not rocket science – you can’t expect the skills and training needs of businesses in Sheffield to be the same as Southampton.”

The latest call for devolution of powers comes following the launch of City Centred earlier this year, which saw London Councils and the Core Cities Group join forces to strengthen their campaign for change.

It is hoped that the involvement of businesses will encourage all the major political parties to put devolution high on the agenda ahead of next year’s General Election.