Rayner reaffirms vision of ‘total rewiring’ of government power in England

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will reaffirm her vision for a Northern rebirth at a keynote Convention of the North speech today (Friday 28 February).

She will set out that ‘wholesale total rewiring of government power in England’ will ensure the North is able to drive its own growth agenda and shape its own destiny.

She is expected to promote the transformative benefits of the English Devolution White Paper in the north which will give Mayors a range of new powers and greater control of local funding across planning, employment support, skills, rail and more, with strong and effective partnerships in place with councils.

She will say the North is in a strong position to reap the benefits of devolution, with over 90% currently covered by a devolution agreement and over 80% covered by mayoral devolution.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also set out how ministers have improved the local government funding formula to give the North nearly £840 million more this year, to ensure vital investment and fairness.

Empowering and supporting regions to deliver growth and opportunities is a key part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Speaking at the Convention of the North in Preston, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is expected to say:

 “I know that the North is impatient as anyone for real change – and I am too.

“The gears of change haven’t always been well-oiled and a decade of decline has seen them rusted.

“You’re being resisted by a system that hoards power and investment away from where it needs to be. Too many decisions affecting too many people are made by too few. I’m here to help you break that system, and build a fairer one in its place.

“That’s what our English Devolution programme is all about. It is the biggest power shift in a generation that will ensure nothing less than a wholesale total rewiring of government power in England.”

The Deputy Prime Minister will also use her speech to reveal plans to get the North building through the government’s upcoming Planning Infrastructure Bill and how, through clean energy and AI, Northerners are fundamental to rebuilding the country.

The Convention of the North is an annual event held this year in Preston which brings the region’s leaders together to discuss a shared regional agenda.