Devolution from Westminster to Greater Manchester must be fair – not flawed – prospective mayoral candidate Ivan Lewis MP has told the House of Commons.
Speaking in the budget debate last night, the Bury South MP, who is seeking the Labour mayoral candidacy in Greater Manchester, said: “As we take greater responsibility, the government, and especially the Chancellor, must understand that we are not prepared to be set up to fail or collude with policies which are plainly ideological, unfair and wrong.
“Greater Manchester’s political leaders are right to do business with the government, notwithstanding, in most cases, serious political differences.
“However, I have come to the conclusion that, in some key areas, the combined impact of the devolution deals, so far, is flawed.
“Going forward we must negotiate a new, fair deal which enables us to tackle the inequality which has left too many people and communities behind.”
Devolution of skills, transport, housing, health and social care budgets and most recently (set out in last week’s budget) the 100% retention of business rates have all formed part of deals between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Chancellor. While welcoming, in principle, many aspects of devolution, Ivan warned of flawed and ideological unfairness contained within them so far and called for devolved powers over schools improvement and apprenticeships, cash to plug a £2bn gap in health and social care and a deal which provides fair funding across every town and to every council in Greater Manchester.
He said: “A new fair devolution deal is essential if Greater Manchester is to tackle inequality and become a world class conurbation for all its people. This budget reaffirms the government’s commitment to a ‘Northern Powerhouse’. But I must warn ministers this has all the hallmarks of the Big Society – a tarnished brand, fatally underwhelmed by a rhetoric reality gap.
“Disproportionate cuts and policies like the forcing our schools to become academies makes a mockery of this. We would be a Northern Poorhouse if it wasn’t for the innovation and commitment of our local councils and communities. It is for this reason our leaders in Greater Manchester have been right to be pioneers for devolution. But the time has now come to demand a fair not a flawed deal.”
On health and social care: “We have agreed to create an integrated care and support system. However, Devo Health leaves us with a flawed £2billion NHS funding gap in Greater Manchester; local authority cuts severely restrict access to social care support and community mental health services are in crisis.
“A fair deal would mean NHS England more than doubling the transformation fund established to support these changes in Greater Manchester from the current £450million to £1 billion. Any deal must also make clear that in Greater Manchester we vehemently oppose the privatisation of the NHS and insist on a major improvement to patient and public involvement.”
On business rates and town centre regulation: “A fair deal will recognise the plurality of towns and district centres across Greater Manchester and provide fair funding and an economic model which supports their place at the heart of community life.”
