Decentralisation and devolution inquiry opens

It will be chaired by Local Government Association (LGA) president Lord Kerslake and a panel appointed by the APPG will consider written evidence in October, as well as oral sessions through the autumn.

The panel will be cross-party, drawing from both Houses of Parliament as well as external experts from the four nations of the UK.

It will seek evidence on the devolution of legislative and fiscal competence within England Scotland and Wales, federalism in the UK and the idea of English votes for English laws. It will also examine the options for governance arrangements for decentralisation, sustainable funding for local government and the implications of devolution for Whitehall.

Lord Kerslake said: "Constitutional reform and devolution present the most significant challenge and opportunity for the Government over this parliament. That is why I am looking forward to chairing this wide-ranging inquiry.

"I am passionate about the role devolution can play in promoting economic growth and improving public services. We need to ensure that it is not confined to just cities or cities regions with an elected mayor but all parts of the country. Many questions have been left unanswered on devolution and I hope my panel will be able to provide a road map for the future."

Lord Purvis of Tweed added: "By collating the views of government, civil society and businesses we hope to provide long-term recommendations around how the UK constitution can be renewed and strengthened for generations to come."

A final report is to be submitted to the Communities Secretary Greg Clark, Minister for Constitutional Reform Oliver Letwin, the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones, and the First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson in March 2016.

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