Impact of Brexit on local government: HCLG Committee to question metro mayors at University of Manchester – Monday 19 March at 11am

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is to question Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, and Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, James Palmer, during an evidence session at the University of Manchester on the impact of Brexit on local government. Len Duvall AM, Chair of the London Assembly’s EU Exit Working Group will complete the witness panel.

The meeting is part of an inquiry examining the key concerns of the local government sector ahead of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and the desired outcomes of negotiations.

Questioning is likely to focus on the extent to which the Government is engaging with local authorities over Brexit, the effect of the loss of EU funding streams and changes to employment rights of workers and the potential to devolve EU powers to local government after withdrawal.

Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, said: “The UK’s withdrawal from the EU will have an impact on investment, development and funding for councils and with just over a year to go until Brexit, there is still more to do to ensure local government is not overlooked in the negotiations.

Our inquiry is examining the impact of Brexit on all types of local authorities and this session will help us understand what the priorities of the negotiations with the EU should be for city regions.”

Mike Amesbury, Jo Platt and Mary Robinson, MPs from nearby constituencies, are among Committee members due to attend.

Witness schedule:

Monday 19 March, Whitworth Building, University of Manchester

At 11am

• Andy Burnham, Mayor, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
• Ben Houchen, Mayor, Tees Valley Combined Authority
• Len Duvall AM, Chair, London Assembly EU Exit Working Group
• James Palmer, Mayor, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority