(09 Dec 2015, 8:36 pm)Adrian wrote Ian Mearns, Labour MP for Gateshead, asked a question around funding during today's PMQs. With the devolution of business rates, the combined 12 authorities will lose about £223 million a year, he reckons.
Wow. That's a lot.
I wonder how many people will be replying having had full access to all the issues concerned? I can think of few disadvantages of certain things being decided and planned locally, by people who know the region and its needs better than whitehall, but if it means that all these local plans have to be enacted on a far more restricted budget than otherwise, then it becomes an impossible dream, really.