The next Government should drive devolution deeper by committing to give local authorities greater responsibility for pro-growth priorities, such as infrastructure, housing and job-creation schemes, an all party group has today urged.

A report issued today by the All Party Urban Development Group has recommended the next Government should work more closely with local authorities to ensure schemes with long-term economic benefits remain on track.

It also calls for better co-ordination, evaluation and monitoring of the panoply of Government growth initiatives, such as Enterprise Zones, Growing Places Fund and the Regional Growth Fund.