Member

The noble Lord, Lord Jamieson, asked me about funding for these combined authorities. The Government will help with the costs associated with the new authorities. Each area will receive £1.5 million this year in capacity funding and, at a minimum, a further £3 million over the next three years to help with core running costs. They will also receive their investment fund, as well as devolved funding for specific functions such as transport and adult skills. Beyond the support provided by the Government, the budgets of strategic authorities and how any costs are funded is a local decision. The draft orders state that the constituent councils will be required to meet the costs of expenditure reasonably incurred by the mayor, which is necessary to ensure that a balanced budget can be reached.