Local Government Finance

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Attorney-General – in the House of Commons at 4:06 pm on 10 February 2015.

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Photo of Hilary Benn Hilary Benn Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 4:06, 10 February 2015

If we get the opportunity after a certain event on 7 May, I would be very happy to receive representations from the hon. Gentleman and everyone else, because when I say that we want to achieve a fairer funding mechanism, that is what I mean.

In return for this economic devolution deal, all we ask is that local government comes together to form combined authorities across England. Their shape will vary from place to place, because economic geography and travel-to-work areas vary. This is a challenge to local government. Local government says to all politicians, “Trust us more.” Well, we would trust local government more. We would say, “Get organised, and significant devolution of funding is on offer in return.”