When levelling up secretary Michael Gove kicked off his speech to the LGA conference in Harrogate, he did so – quite rightly – singing the praises of local government and the sector's efforts during the pandemic.

He vowed to push forward to strengthen local government in a bid to deliver the Government's flagship levelling up commitments, reiterating the Government's pledge to get a devo deal to every area that wants one by 2030. And he promised, again, a bonfire of the bid funds, cutting back on small pots in favour of a more straightforward approach to funding – including a shift to two-year settlements.