Devolution in sight?

WITH most of the region still waiting to see the Government commit to stumping up significant investment as part of their ‘Levelling Up’ promise, it is timely that we find a devolution deal for the North of the region could be in sight.

The people of the North East rejected the chance of a regional assembly some years ago, but there seems far more support to earn a greater degree of say in our own destiny – and increased spending power – via the adoption of a regional mayor set-up, which could be in place by 2024.

Few would argue that the extra Government cash that such a devolution deal would bring should be turned away, with the region desperately in need of cash for a number of projects seen as vital to the economic prosperity of the North East.

And if ‘Levelling Up’ cash comes too, more’s the better.

But first we must hope that talks in a devolution deal bear fruit.