Osborne Calls on Regions to Take More Control

Speaking yesterday at Derby engineering company Garrandale, Chancellor to the Exchequer George Osborne offered devolution to cities and counties in the region which want more powers devolved from Westminster.

Addressing over 130 local business leaders Mr Osborne said he wanted places like Derby to present a case for more decisions to be made locally, saying the current system, whereby key decisions are made in Westminster, is broken.

As far as councils in Derbyshire are concerned they already have the ball rolling – the county, city and districts are bidding to set up a “combined authority” and has already held talks in London about the plan. However in his Derby speech Osborne stated that full devolution would require 'metro-mayors', something which has not yet been agreed.

The main purpose of Mr Osborne's visit was the launch of his government's economic plan for the Midlands – a region he described as “an engine for growth”. Part of this plan involves investment in the road network – Mr Osborne said he would honour a promise made in December to make improvements to the A38 and A52 to ease congestion. Plans involve replacing the Little Eaton, Kingsway and Markeaton traffic islands with flyovers.