Prime Minister Theresa May has told the House of Commons that the West Midlands has the “biggest devolution deal”.
She was referring to funding being provided by central government for the region to spend on new infrastructure schemes.
But there’s one problem. Her claim may not be true - according to the National Audit Office, the official spending watchdog.
Mrs May made the comment in the House of Commons during the weekly session of questions to the Prime Minister, in response to Black Country MP James Morris (Con Halesowen) who asked her to join him in celebrating economic growth in the region.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the number of people in work in the West Midlands has risen, and took the opportunity to praise Andy Street, the Conservative candidate for West Midlands mayor who until recently chaired the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.
This is a body that worked with industry and local councils to support the economy.
And she also highlighted a devolution deal agreed between the Government and local councils, calling it “the biggest devolution deal that’s being done”.
The Government has promised the new West Midlands Combined Authority, to be chaired by the new regional mayor, funding of £36.5 million a year over 30 years to spend on infrastructure, such as new transport schemes.
On the face of it, this is indeed more than any other region is getting. For example, Liverpool has signed a similar deal, but is to receive just £30 million a year.
However, an analysis by the National Audit Office in June pointed out that the West Midlands gets far LESS than many other regions when you consider the amount of money per person.
The West Midlands, with a population of 2.8 million in the area served by the West Midlands Combined Authority, is to receive £13 per person each year.
And the Liverpool region, with a population of 1.5 million, is to receive £20 per person each year.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mrs May praised Andy Street twice - once in response to Mr Morris and once in response to a similar question from Aldridge-Brownhills Conservative MP Wendy Morton.
She said: “The devolution deal is important. It’s the biggest devolution deal that’s being done for the West Midlands.
“Part of that is crucially the election of a directly-elected mayor
“And I think Andy Street with both his local knowledge and his business experience will drive economic growth.”
It’s a sign of the importance the Conservatives attach to the mayoral election in May 2017.
While mayors will also be elected in Manchester, Liverpool and other parts of the country, Conservatives believe the West Midlands is the region where they have the best chance of winning.
