Legal Experts Welcome Plans To Give More Powers To Major Cities

Business legal specialists at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds and Sheffield offices have welcomed the Government’s announcement that both cities will be among eight locations outside of London to benefit from new powers.

Under the plans, the eight largest cities outside of London will be given powers to invest in growth, local skills and job creation, as well as providing improved support to businesses and the general transport infrastructure.

Leeds and Sheffield are also expected to each form combined authorities which will bring existing councils together so better decisions can be made on how funding is spent in their respective communities.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has described the decision as “groundbreaking” and a “dramatic power shift” which will free cities from “Whitehall control”.

Paul Firth, regional managing partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, said: “These new City Deals are brilliant news for Yorkshire and a strong sign that many now recognise there is still much potential waiting to be unlocked in business centres away from the capital.

“By putting the power in the hands of local people in relation to fundamental issues, these agreements will ensure that the best possible decisions are made with local people always being a core focus.”

Nick Bates, regional managing partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, added: “This will not only improve local economies but also encourage the growth of new and existing local firms.

“Further to that, it may also help to attract major companies to locations which previously may not have been on their radar. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that these new powers are likely to have in both Yorkshire and other regions which previously were reliant on approval from authorities in London.”