18.10.17
Government to assess ‘unclear’ Brexit impact on local government
Westminster has launched a ‘Brexit and Local Government’ inquiry into the effect that leaving the European Union will have on councils.
The Communities and Local Government Committee has launched the investigation to decide which of the EU’s current powers could be handed down to local authorities.
There is expected to be a series of one-off evidence sessions running until early 2019, with the first held later this year.
“The previous secretary of state said last year that local government must be represented in the negotiations on the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU, but the role of local authorities post-Brexit is still unclear,” said Clive Betts, chair of the committee.
“We hope our inquiry will help to clarify what the best possible outcome of those talks for local government would look like. We will be investigating which powers local authorities could take as they are returned from Brussels and explore how our departure from the EU might affect investment, development, and economic funding affecting local authorities.
“We will also want to look at the employment of EU nationals and how local workforces may be impacted by Brexit, in areas such as adult social care and construction.”
The news comes in the wake of calls from the LGiU for greater devolution to cities and regions after Brexit. Arguments revolve around the uncertainty that future European deals may have on local government and the way funds will be used when more become available.
Top image: omersukrugoksu
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