A leading group of MPs has called on the Government to appoint a single minister with responsibility for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

In a report published today, the business, innovation and skills parliamentary committee said the new LEPs need certainty to help drive economic growth.

The report recommends appointing a single minister, based in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), to be responsible for LEPs.

‘Shared responsibility between BIS and the Department for Communities and Local Government has resulted in confusion about where responsibility for LEPs lies in central government,' said committee chair, Adrian Bailey.

‘Confusion must be replaced by clarity. A single BIS minister should be clearly identified as responsible and accountable for the work of LEPs.'

It also urges the Government to set levels of core funding levels now for LEPs for the five years from 2015.

Business minister Michael Fallon said: ‘Local Enterprise Partnerships are boosting jobs and growth and reversing years of centralisation by giving local areas the power and funding to achieve their potential.

‘They are marking a real difference in driving local growth and we want them to play an even greater role. We have embraced Lord Heseltine's bold report by creating a single Local Growth Fund that partnerships will bid into.

‘The Spending Review will set out more details on our vision.'