Michael Gove announces devolution deals for the north

The north of England has been given the biggest transfer of power and resources in generations, the Levelling Up Secretary has said.

Michael Gove told business, political and civic leaders at the Convention of the North this was "the day that the North truly takes back control".

"The theology is devolution. The reality is improved lives for all," he told the audience in Leeds.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said it did not go far enough.

Last year, mayors such as Mr Burnham and Andy Street in the West Midlands were given control over a single pot of money to spend according to their own priorities.

Known as Level 4 devolution, it gives regional authorities more powers in relation to adult skills provision, local transport funding, potential delivery of net zero funding and affordable homes programmes from 2026.

Mr Gove said those same opportunities would now be extended to West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the Liverpool City Region.

He said it would mean more money and a bigger capacity to make a difference for the mayors in each of those regions - Tracy Brabin, Oliver Coppard and Steve Rotheram.

Mr Gove said he wanted to take devolution to "many more areas across the country, with the North leading the way" and to conclude a similar deal with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.

He added: "This is the most profound change to the way that England has been governed in generations."

Asked why his announcement came in the "dying throes of Parliament", Mr Gove said: "One of the great things about the Convention of the North, I think, is it has succeeded in generating a broad cross-party consensus on the importance of devolution, the importance of closing regional divides."

He added he was confident "whatever the composition of the Parliament in years to come" the agenda will carry on.

Responding, Mr Rotheram said: "It's almost like a road to Damascus conversion from Michael. He now is very very supportive of what we are trying to do at local levels.

"He genuinely believes in devolution, it's not like an act with him."

However, Mr Burnham said: "It went so far but not far enough. There is now an emergency in the funding of local government across England. It is a crisis and needs to be addressed."

Mr Coppard added: "Until and unless local public transport and local government finance is sorted, the work we are doing is never going to be enough."