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Nick Clegg pushes for more decentralisation in England

The independence debate in Scotland has underlined the need for greater decentralisation of power within England, Nick Clegg will say today.

The Deputy Prime Minister will say that an emerging consensus among the three main political parties meant there was a real opportunity to devolve power to the English regions.

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Devolution may risk 'sucking power upwards'

Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has cautioned against calls for the creation of powerful new combined local authorities centring on big cities, after Nick Clegg called for more devolution of powers.

Localism in England should be about devolving power to the lowest appropriate level - down to councils, to neighbourhoods and to individuals.

There may be some role for combined authorities on a strategic level to promote economic development and transport, but there is a real risk they will suck power upwards away from local councils and local taxpayers.

– Eric Pickles, Communities Secretary

Clegg to call for 'fairer Britain' with more devolution

The time has come to push for action on decentralisation in England, Nick Clegg is to say, as part of a new report calling for a new wave of "metro mayors" for city regions with greater powers to vary taxes to local councils.

In his speech, the Liberal Democrat leader will say:

You only need look at how the Scottish referendum debate has re-energised people's interest and engagement in politics over the last few weeks to see that this is an idea whose time has come.

Over the last decades, we've seen a wave of new powers shifting out to every nation of the UK, except England.

With a new consensus now emerging amongst the UK's three main political parties to extend devolution and decentralisation in the future, I believe we can push forward in realising our ambitions for a stronger, fairer Britain.

– Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister

Read: Nick Clegg to call for more devolution in England

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Nick Clegg to call for more devolution in England

The independence debate in Scotland has underlined the need for greater decentralisation of power within England, Nick Clegg will say today.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who will launch a report calling for a major programme of devolution within England Credit: PA

The Deputy Prime Minister will say that an emerging consensus among the three main political parties meant there was a real opportunity to devolve power to the English regions.

Mr Clegg is launching a report by the IPPR North think-tank, calling for a new wave of "metro mayors" for city regions with greater powers to vary taxes to local councils.

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