Sajid Javid today announced £30million of government funding to the Liverpool City Region, thanks to the area’s ground-breaking devolution deal that will see the region will receive £900million over the next 30 years.

The annoucement was made during a visit to Liverpool, a year to the day since their ground-breaking devolution deal was signed.  The devolution deal allows local people to take back control of decisions that matter to them and provides extra investment in the Liverpool City Region, including:

• Powers over transport, including influence over local bus operators and multi-year budgets;Powers over strategic planning; andGreater responsibility for skills provision
• Improving local transport connections;
• Business growth and helping to develop key industries in the area;
• Regeneration, development and the city region’s thriving culture; and
• Delivering new homes

Voters will also get the chance to vote for a directly-elected mayor for the area in May, giving the Liverpool City Region a powerful new voice.

Speaking in Liverpool, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said:

“Today’s £30million cash boost is just the first instalment of nearly £1billion that will be given to the Liverpool City Region over the next three decades.  This devolution deal allows the people of Liverpool to take control of the decisions that matter to them. With new powers over transport, business growth, housing and regeneration, voters will also get a chance to choose their region’s first mayor in May to put these powers into practice.”

Devolving powers to local people

As part of efforts to deliver an economy that works for everyone, the government is devolving wide-ranging powers directly from Whitehall to local people who know their areas best.

Handing power back to local people is a key part of the government’s plans to build a Northern Powerhouse. In return the government requires that strong governance arrangements are put in place to ensure local leaders are directly accountable to the people that they serve.

Now the Liverpool City Region is reaping the benefits through today’s first £30 million payment to the new Combined Authority.

The Liverpool City Region devolution deal is one of 9 across the country – 8 of which have directly elected mayors. It means decisions that have previously been made in Westminster will now be made in the areas they affect most.

The other areas with devolution deals are:

• Greater Manchester
• West Midlands
• Cornwall
• Sheffield City region
• Tees Valley
• Greater Lincolnshire
• West of England
• East Anglia

Earlier this month council leaders in the North East walked away from a similar deal which would have brought significant benefits to local people.

Further information

The Liverpool City Region Devolution Deal was signed in November 2015.

The Combined Authority comprises the local authority areas of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral.  The neighbouring authorities of West Lancashire Borough Council and Warrington Borough Council are associate members of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

The new mayor for the Liverpool City Region will be elected in May 2017.