The future of a multi-billion pound devolution deal for the North East remains unclear – despite Jeremy Hunt promising it will be announced soon.
The Chancellor pledged during his autumn statement on Thursday that a new package of powers and funding that would see a new mayor elected for the region in 2024 should be confirmed “shortly”, in a major shakeup of North East politics that would reunite councils on either side of the Tyne. But Mr Hunt could only say that the long-awaited deal will cover “an area in the North East”, with local disagreements meaning that doubt persists over whether County Durham will be allowed to join six northern neighbours in the pact.
A draft deal covering Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland has been close to being agreed since the final days of the Boris Johnson government. It would be worth more than £3bn in Government funding over 30 years, would include a £35m per year investment fund and £900m in transport funding up to 2027, plus crucial decision-making powers such as the ability to bring bus services back into public control.
