Devolution deals worth close to £2bn have been agreed for Merseyside and the West Midlands.
Mayors elected in 2017 will be given planning powers to boost housing delivery, responsibility for a transport budget and increased powers over skills provision and employment.
The Liverpool City Region’s mayor will control a £30m annual investment budget guaranteed for 30 years.
The deal equates to £900m over that period and is intended to unlock the economic potential of the River Mersey and Superport as well as opportunities around the HS2 rail link.
In the West Midlands, the mayor will chair the West Midlands Combined Local Authority with an annual budget of £36.5m earmarked for growth initiatives and again guaranteed for 30 years.
The authority will have the same powers as the Homes and Communities Agency – including compulsory purchase, regeneration, providing financial assistance and establishing companies – in order to push through housing delivery.
As part of the deal, the government has committed to supporting the region’s HS2 ambitions, funding the Curzon Street Enterprise Zone extension and the Metro extension to Eastside, subject to a business case.
Greater Manchester, Sheffield City Region, the North East and Tees Valley have already signed up to devolution deals under the government’s “One Nation” strategy to devolve powers from Whitehall and boost growth in the regions.
Further powers for devolved regions are expected to be announced by Chancellor George Osborne in the Spending Review on 25 November.
