Ministers have rejected a Commons report calling for legal protections guaranteeing local government's independence and reforms to increase the sector's finance and tax-raising powers.

A report, issued on 29 January by the political and constitutional reform committee, argues councils could spearhead a devolution deal for England along the lines of those enjoyed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The proposals suggest a devolutionary settlement led by English councils would obviate the need for either separate regional assemblies or a national parliament.