Rayner commits to ‘total rewiring’ of government power

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will reaffirm her vision for a ‘Northern rebirth’ at a keynote Convention of the North speech in Preston today.

She will set out that ‘wholesale total rewiring of government power in England’ will ensure the North is able to drive its own growth agenda and shape its own destiny.

She is expected to promote the transformative benefits of the English Devolution White Paper in the North, which will give mayors a range of new powers and greater control of local funding across planning, employment support, skills, rail and more, with strong and effective partnerships in place with councils.

The government says the North is in a ‘strong position’ to reap the benefits of devolution, with over 90 per cent currently covered by a devolution agreement and more than 80 per cent covered by mayoral devolution.

 The Deputy Prime Minister will also set out how ministers have improved the local government funding formula to give the North nearly £840m more this year.

 Speaking at the annual event, which brings the region’s leaders together to discuss a shared regional agenda, the Deputy PM is expected to say: “I know that the North is impatient as anyone for real change – and I am too. 

 “The gears of change haven’t always been well-oiled and a decade of decline has seen them rusted. 

 “You’re being resisted by a system that hoards power and investment away from where it needs to be. Too many decisions affecting too many people are made by too few. I’m here to help you break that system, and build a fairer one in its place. 

 “That’s what our English devolution programme is all about. It is the biggest power shift in a generation that will ensure nothing less than a wholesale total rewiring of government power in England.”

 Ms Rayner will also use her speech to reveal plans to get the North building through the government’s upcoming Planning Infrastructure Bill and how, through clean energy and AI, Northerners are fundamental to rebuilding the country.

Lancashire Combined County Authority's growth plan is also set be revealed during the Convention of the North.

The event is bringing together business, community, academic, and political leaders to discuss how to take advantage of the many opportunities up for grabs for the North of England.

Ms Rayner has said she is “hopeful” that Lancashire will have an elected mayor by 2026.

Earlier this month she told MPs that the government will continue to work with local leaders across the county to deliver that change as part of its devolution drive.