Autumn Statement: Clamour for devolution as London Mayor expects deal

The Mayor of London expects a push for extra powers to speed-up the delivery of infrastructure to pay off in the Autumn Statement today.

Sadiq Khan wrote in the capital's Evening Standard last night that the Chancellor "will take the first steps towards a serious devolution deal for London at the Autumn Statement". He has been pressing for the powers to "let us build vital infrastructure more quickly," underlining that the capital is likely to be most adversely affected by the economic impact of Brexit and that the capital has more people than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined but "far less control over how its economy is managed". There have also been calls to give Northern England more powers, including decision-making powers over rail investment and rail franchises.

Khan also wants the Autumn Statement to give meaning to Theresa May's pledge to help those who are "just about managing" by freezing rail fares. "As Mayor I've frozen TfL fares... but it's not fair that Londoners who rely on national rail services will see prices rise just because ministers haven't got their house in order".