The Prime Minister's plan for devolution is highly anticipated by councils across the country.

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For too long, local leaders have been asked to solve national problems with one hand tied behind their backs. Decisions affecting communities across England have too often been made in Westminster, far removed from the people and places they impact. Greater devolution offers the opportunity to change that.

But devolution cannot simply be about transferring responsibilities. It must also mean transferring the resources, powers, and flexibility needed to deliver better outcomes.

As Mayor of Middlesbrough and Chair of SIGOMA, which represents 50 of England’s most deprived urban areas, I welcome moves that put more trust in local leaders. We know our communities. We understand the challenges they face. And we are best placed to decide how public money can be used to improve lives.

The crucial question is not whether councils and mayors can do more. It is whether Government is willing to provide the long-term funding needed to make reform a reality.

That challenge has never been more pressing. Despite recent improvements through the Government's multi-year settlement, councils across England........

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