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Northern landlord group welcomes prime minister’s devolution meeting
The Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) has welcomed the new prime minister and deputy prime minister meeting with regional mayors to begin the process of “shifting power out of Westminster through a major programme of devolution”.
Tracy Harrison, chief executive of the NHC, which represents around 140 social landlords in the North of England, said she was “delighted” about the meeting and to “hear of plans for a new council for regions and nations”.
She added: “We’ve been calling for some time for greater devolution of housing powers to the mayors, so it’s good to hear housing was discussed today.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the mayors and their teams to deliver change for people living in the North.”
All regional mayors in England were invited for the meeting this week with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who is also the housing secretary.
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The government said the meeting was to “begin the process of shifting power out of Westminster through a major programme of devolution that will power up all corners of the country”.
Labour’s general election manifesto promised to extend devolution to more areas and “deepen” the settlements with existing combined authorities.
It said towns and cities will be able to “take hold of the tools they need to pursue growth, create jobs, and improve living standards”. “Local areas will be able to gain new powers over transport, adult education and skills, housing and planning, and employment support,” it said.
Ms Rayner said that “for too long” Westminster had “tightly gripped control” and “held back opportunities for towns, cities and villages across the UK”.
She said the meeting was aimed at “shifting power out of Westminster” towards the regions.
Sir Keir told the mayors they were “absolutely central” to economic growth “across the country”.
He added said: “My fundamental belief is that those with skin in the game are the ones who know best what they need. By resetting these crucial relationships and putting more power in the hands of local leaders, I’m determined to make sure they have the support they need to play their part in delivering economic growth in every part of the country.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan said that meeting the prime minister so soon “sends a very clear message that this government will do things differently by making it a priority to work closely with cities and regional government, [which is] key to turbo charging growth across the country”.
“We now have a huge opportunity to work hand in hand with this government to build a fairer, safer and greener London and use the power and potential of our cities to deliver national renewal and the change Britain needs,” he added.
Ben Houchen, Conservative mayor of the Tees Valley, who is currently the only metro mayor who is not a Labour politician, said: “Our region has undergone huge transformation in recent years and stands as the prime example of what can be achieved through successful devolution.”
West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin said the meeting “marked a welcome step change in the relationship between mayors and government”.
Kim McGuinness, who was elected as the first ever mayor of the North East in May, described the meeting as “very positive”. She recently told Inside Housing that social housing is at the top of her agenda.
