Ditched Norfolk and Suffolk devolution deals shows Labour doesn’t care, says MP

Norfolk and Suffolk MPs have reacted to the Government scrapping the devolution deals worth more than £500 million each to the two counties.

The Diss Express reported earlier in the month that the proposals, which would have given the counties more decision-making powers about its own futures rather than those in Whitehall, had been halted as the eleventh hour.

Norfolk County Council had secured an in-principle deal in December, with Suffolk due to vote on its own deal in the coming weeks.

In the new Waveney Valley constituency, Adrian Ramsay, the East of England’s only Green MP, said the two counties should have been offered an alternative to the deals, which had been worked on for months.

He added: “It’s very disappointing that the Government has scrapped the planned devolution deals for Suffolk and Norfolk without putting anything in their place.

“While the deals did not go anywhere near far enough with the funding and powers needed to make a major difference locally, the devolution question must not now be put on the back burner.

“I call on the Government to engage with Suffolk and Norfolk on a deal that will really deliver for our communities.”

Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer went further in his criticism, claiming Labour did not care about Suffolk.

He said: “After barely 10 weeks in power, the Labour Government has now scrapped the devolution deal, which would have meant £500 million investment for Suffolk.

“The devolution deal for Suffolk had widespread public support and this latest hit just goes to show that this new ‘changed’ Labour Government doesn’t care at all about the interests of the people of Suffolk.”

The Government has already stated it would continue discussions for “ambitious devolution” and “alternative ideas”.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said devolution remained central to the Government’s mission to economic growth in which powers are taken away from Westminster and put into the hands of leaders “who know their area best”.

They added: “This government strongly believes mayors should have a unique role, while council leaders must continue to focus on the delivery of essential services.

“We want to see those two functions kept separate as this benefits the community and its people, which is why we will not be proceeding with the single local authority deals proposed in Norfolk and Suffolk.”