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Tom Riordan: 'An appetite for devolution in England is growing' Tom Riordan: 'An appetite for devolution in England is growing'
(3 months later)
How does the relationship between central and local government need to change?How does the relationship between central and local government need to change?
The current relationship is very much one where many different Whitehall departments are telling us in local government not only what we should do but also how we should do it. We need more empowerment at the local level.The current relationship is very much one where many different Whitehall departments are telling us in local government not only what we should do but also how we should do it. We need more empowerment at the local level.
You have said that you want to a minister for England created to whom local government would report. What priorities would the minister have?You have said that you want to a minister for England created to whom local government would report. What priorities would the minister have?
In our report, the Commission on the Future of Local Government, which was published last year, we recommended that there should be a secretary of state for England, and an English office, which would operate as a government department. In our report, the Commission on the Future of Local Government, which was published last year, we recommended that there should be a secretary of state for England, and an English office, which would operate as a government department.
So you want local councils to be autonomous? So you want local councils to be autonomous?
Yes. Local councils should be treated in the same way as the devolved national assemblies are treated and receive a grant, leaving it to them to decide what their spending priorities should be. That, to us, would be a radical and more effective way to recast the relationship between central and local government.Yes. Local councils should be treated in the same way as the devolved national assemblies are treated and receive a grant, leaving it to them to decide what their spending priorities should be. That, to us, would be a radical and more effective way to recast the relationship between central and local government.
What is at stake if we don't change the system and we see power devolved elsewhere?What is at stake if we don't change the system and we see power devolved elsewhere?
For people in the north of England it will bring into much sharper focus the differences in the powers people have north and south of the border. People will want more devolved powers. Recently, when votes took place in the north-east about whether to have an assembly or not, I don't think there was an appetite for devolution for England; but I think there will be in the future.For people in the north of England it will bring into much sharper focus the differences in the powers people have north and south of the border. People will want more devolved powers. Recently, when votes took place in the north-east about whether to have an assembly or not, I don't think there was an appetite for devolution for England; but I think there will be in the future.
Do other northern cities want power devolved?Do other northern cities want power devolved?
It's not just Leeds. There is a big consensus emerging around the need to free local government up to deliver the vital agendas needed in the country.It's not just Leeds. There is a big consensus emerging around the need to free local government up to deliver the vital agendas needed in the country.
What is your vision for the future of the city?What is your vision for the future of the city?
We want Leeds to be the best city in the country and that doesn't mean it will be the biggest or the richest, but that it will be a new kind of city fit for the 21st century. That means we're actively growing our economy and jobs through major developments such as the Trinity shopping centre.We want Leeds to be the best city in the country and that doesn't mean it will be the biggest or the richest, but that it will be a new kind of city fit for the 21st century. That means we're actively growing our economy and jobs through major developments such as the Trinity shopping centre.
How severe has the impact of the bedroom tax been? How severe has the impact of the bedroom tax been?
Around 2,800 tenants out of 5,200 who had a clear rent account before the charges began have already fallen into rent arrears seven weeks later. Thousands of council tenants have been affected by the spare room subsidy and, since it was introduced in April, around a third of these have gone into rent arrears. We have seen a 30% increase in the number of people contacting customer services since April.Around 2,800 tenants out of 5,200 who had a clear rent account before the charges began have already fallen into rent arrears seven weeks later. Thousands of council tenants have been affected by the spare room subsidy and, since it was introduced in April, around a third of these have gone into rent arrears. We have seen a 30% increase in the number of people contacting customer services since April.
What is your opinion of universal credit and is your council ready?What is your opinion of universal credit and is your council ready?
The effects of universal credit will be wide-ranging – it fundamentally changes the way the main income-based benefits are delivered. It will affect around 100,000 Leeds residents and will require online applications and much greater budgeting responsibility from customers. We have been working closely with partner organisations to ensure that we are as ready as possible when the roll-out begins. The effects of universal credit will be wide-ranging – it fundamentally changes the way the main income-based benefits are delivered. It will affect around 100,000 Leeds residents and will require online applications and much greater budgeting responsibility from customers. We have been working closely with partner organisations to ensure that we are as ready as possible when the roll-out begins.
If you could send a message to David Cameron what would it be?If you could send a message to David Cameron what would it be?
Trust local government to do more. We can help deliver economic growth, and at the same time get more people into work and get jobs created in those parts of the country that need them mostTrust local government to do more. We can help deliver economic growth, and at the same time get more people into work and get jobs created in those parts of the country that need them most
• What do you think? Email sarah.marsh@guardian.co.uk if you want to contribute an article to this debate.• What do you think? Email sarah.marsh@guardian.co.uk if you want to contribute an article to this debate.
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