County MP seeks assurance that LGR pause won't delay Devolution

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner MP has assured a Leicestershire MP that the pausing of Local Government Reorganisation won’t delay Devolution.

Responding to a question from North West Leicestershire MP, Amanda Hack, the Secretary of State said existing Devolution timelines will remain unchanged. 

The question came as MPs responded to the Government's announcement last week that LGR will be paused while a ‘rapid review’ is carried out. 

Ms Hack asked: “When the LGR announcement came forward in July I wanted reassurance from the then Secretary of State about barriers to growth, which for Leicestershire is not having a mayor and being without a Devolution settlement.

“What reassurance can the Secretary of State give in light of this announcement that my constituents will no longer feel the delay of not having a devolution settlement?”

Ms Rayner responded: “This Government’s ambition is that every area in England either has or is in the process of establishing a strategic authority by the end of 2027, with strategic authorities in place everywhere by the end of 2028. 

“I agree that achieving good growth requires a fundamental rewire in the way our country works and I want to work with her and other local leaders to ensure areas are reaching their full potential.”

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is one of 14 areas where LGR has been paused. The announcement means that changes including the expansion of the city’s boundary will be postponed.

Leicestershire County Council has previously said it was open to exploring legal action related to the original decision, which was communicated by letter to local leaders in July.

Separately, 10 council leaders across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland wrote a joint letter to Government in late August asking for a devolved regional mayor.

Ms Hack was one of three Leicestershire Labour MPs to previously call for an accelerated Devo deal for LLR.