Local government can deliver better services more efficiently and help address austerity challenges if it receives extensive new powers, according to a new report for Labour leader Ed Miliband from a commission headed by three leading Labour council leaders.

In People-powered public services, launched today by the Local Government Innovation Taskforce, the leaders, Sir Richard Leese (Manchester City), Sharon Taylor (Stevenage BC) and Jules Pipe (elected mayor of Hackney LBC) argue that localising services currently run by Whitehall is a more efficient way of managing the public finances, basing their conclusions on practical evidence provided by local authorities.