Further London devolution announced in budget

Chancellor Philip Hammond has presented the 2017 Spring Budget, with the announcement of a further devolution deal agreed with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Devolution to London was given a boost by Hammond in the Budget, with new powers handed down to the capital by the government, but little was said for other regions in the UK.

There will be extra flexibility in the capital to allow the voluntary pooling of business rates across the city, while more powers over health, infrastructure, transport and employment will be handed over. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is expected to reveal more soon.

Claire Kober, chair of London Councils, said: “Alongside Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and other regions of the country, the capital is proud to be at the forefront of devolution. As we’ve long argued, this promises local people the power to set out a new path for delivering both economic growth and excellent public services in the context of a continued squeeze on public finances.

“However, despite today’s positive news, we believe that there is more room for further transfer of power to both London and cities across the UK, and we will continue to argue the need for government to properly fund public services.”