The Prime Minister will today reaffirm his pledge to give even more powers to people, businesses and political leaders across Northern regions.

In a speech in South Yorkshire, he is expected to reiterate that he remains committed to delivering the Sheffield City Region Deal – and to opening up negotiations with Leeds and West Yorkshire.

The government will also create a new Northern Powerhouse growth body to drive forward the region’s economy, and with the powers to bring together major organisations working in the region.

A Chair will be appointed to head up the body, working closely with the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse. Speaking to local business leaders, mayors and councillors, the Prime Minister is expected to say:

It is time that we gave more people a say over the places where they live, and it is time that we gave you the proper ability to run things your way.

We are going to maximise the power of the north. And we are going to make sure that it is people here who are in control over the things that matter to them.

On entering Downing Street, the Prime Minister made it his priority to level up and unlock the potential of every corner of the UK – not just London and the South East.

Last week on a visit to Yorkshire, he reaffirmed his commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail. The first step will be the Manchester to Leeds route, with detailed plans published this autumn, following the review into HS2.

The new route is expected to cut journey times significantly and provide additional capacity for people across the region.

Today the Prime Minister will reaffirm that one of his top domestic priorities will be to give more powers to local leaders to ensure communities are in control over the things that matter to them, such as transport, infrastructure and housing.

He will conclude his speech by saying:

If we succeed in levelling up opportunity across our country, and if we truly put the power in your hands, then I believe you will do for the North – and for our whole country – what the railways did two centuries ago.

That is the true potential of this Northern Powerhouse Partnership. And this is a Government that will back you to deliver it.

In a joint statement France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom said:

We are deeply concerned about the announcement of a possible annexation of areas in the West Bank, particularly the Jordan valley and the northern portion of the Dead Sea.

This would, if implemented, constitute a serious breach of international law. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom will continue to call on all parties to refrain from actions in contravention of international law that would imperil the viability of a two-state solution, based on the 1967 lines, and make it harder to achieve a just and lasting peace.

We are clear about Israel’s right to security and strongly condemn recent attacks on Israel from Gaza.

Further information

Published 12 September 2019

On the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the Troika (United States, United Kingdom, and Norway) wishes to reconfirm its support for the peace process and to underscore the need to implement the terms of the R-ARCSS in a timely manner.

We applaud President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar for engaging in direct talks in Juba on September 9-10 and for the subsequent recommitment to form a transitional government. We encourage President Kiir to continue to facilitate the dialogue necessary among South Sudan’s political leaders, including Dr. Machar, to ensure the formation of a transitional, representative, national government by the November 12 deadline. In forming this government, South Sudan’s leaders have the opportunity to set aside ethnic rivalries and personal interests and demonstrate the political will necessary to build a better future for the people of South Sudan.

On this anniversary, we hope that South Sudan’s political leaders will demonstrate to the millions of South Sudanese who live in fear of a return to conflict that they are definitively abandoning the use of force to resolve political differences. We urge all of South Sudan’s leaders to take the necessary steps to uphold a definitive cessation of hostilities and to initiate the demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration process that will build a truly national security apparatus.

The Troika will continue to stand with and support the people of South Sudan, who deserve a government that respects human rights, empowers women and youth, and enables economic development through the peaceful return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. We further hope for a constructive relationship with the post-November 12 Government of South Sudan.

• Commitment to new devolution deals across the Midlands
• Publication of a new Midlands Engine Strategy brought forward to this Autumn

The Midlands Engine received a major boost today as Local Government Secretary and Midlands Engine Champion the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP announced the Government’s commitment to further devolution deals across the region.

The Secretary of State made the announcement on a tour of Bombardier’s high-tech Research and Development facility in Derby.

The measures announced today include:

• A pledge to build on the huge success of Mayor Andy Street in the West Midlands and pursue new devolution deals across the Midlands so all communities receive the powers, investment and resources they need to flourish.

• A commitment to bring forward a new Midlands Engine Strategy this Autumn. This will be a roadmap for the Midlands Engine written in partnership with the region setting out how the Midlands can seize the bright opportunities ahead with investment in infrastructure, skills, technology and culture.

Local Government Secretary and Midlands Engine Champion, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said:

Today’s announcement reinforces my commitment to back the Midlands economy with a new wave of devolution deals.

We’re building on Mayor Andy Street’s huge success in the West Midlands by committing today to roll out more devolution. Taking back control doesn’t just apply to Westminster regaining sovereignty from the EU. It means cities and counties becoming more self-governing.

We are going to give greater powers to mayors, council leaders and communities and, in doing so, we will ensure that every part of the Midlands sees the benefits of all the prosperity and opportunity we have in the country.

This builds on the support we have provided for the Midlands Engine including £1.9 billion in Local Growth Fund investment and announcing the 30 towns from across the Midlands who will be among the first to develop multi-million pound Town Deals through our £3.6 billion Towns Fund.

Published 12 September 2019