Rayner promotes devolution Bill

NEW “landmark” legislation will enable communities to “take back control” of their regions and boost economic growth across the country, the Government has said.

- JONATHAN BUNN

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which was due to receive its first reading in the House of Commons yesterday, includes what is described as “radical reset of local government” and protections for local businesses, as well as measures to enable strategic collaboration across wider areas on issues such as transport.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the Bill provides a “new dawn of regional power” that will “rebalance decade old divides”.

Among a range of measures, the Bill would introduce a “community right to buy”, through which communities have the first option to purchase local assets such as pubs and shops that are placed on the market.