A sweeping new wave of combined authorities could be formed if informal discussions taking place around the country lead to action, The MJ has learned.

Talks are beginning about introducing the model in Lancashire, while Hull City Council’s Labour leader, Cllr Steve Brady, has said a Humber combined authority must happen sooner rather than later and councils in the Tees Valley are ‘considering the possibility’.

The Labour leader of Southampton City Council, Cllr Simon Letts, believes a combined authority including Portsmouth and Hampshire would increase the influence of the area and reduce diktat from Whitehall, though this has been blocked by the county council.