The increasing focus on cities and devolution as a way to rebalance the economy and reduce the deficit that emerged over the last five years, looks set to continue over the next five years. 

Within hours of the General Election result being confirmed, both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor reaffirmed their commitment to creating a Northern Powerhouse, capable of rebalancing the economy and enabling more places in the UK to compete for, and benefit from, growth globally. 

And today this commitment was reinforced through the appointment of Greg Clark, the Government's most committed devolutionist and architect of City Deals, as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.