Member

We recognise the importance of ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive, and work is already under way to break down barriers to opportunity and make sure that there is no ceiling on the ambitions of people in Britain. That is why the Government will continue to empower strategic authorities to increase access to opportunity across regions; for example, through the design and delivery of local services, the devolution of functions, funding that supports local leaders to tailor services to meet local needs, and government guidance to support strategic authorities in fulfilling their responsibilities. As I set out in Committee, strategic authorities are already required under the public sector equality duty to consider how their services and decisions can advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.