Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has hailed a “bigger, better and bolder” devolution deal for the North East after signing a multibillion-pound deal with local leaders.
Mr Gove was in Gateshead to sign the deal with leaders of councils in Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham, as well as North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll. The devolution agreement builds on the current North of Tyne deal and revives a North East-wide devolution plan that fell apart in acrimony in 2016.
The North East will become the latest area to have a directly elected mayor following the deal to transfer powers over skills, transport and housing. The devolution plan will see the introduction of a new directly elected mayor, with proposals for elections to take place in May 2024, following a consultation process.
