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“It is good that the Government has pledged to invest in providing full-fibre broadband in hard-to-reach areas. Councils have long-called for funding and support to bridge the digital connectivity gap so that rural communities are not left behind."

“We support the measures announced today to boost cities, towns and regions - this is good news for local communities and businesses seeking to improve their prospects."

Millions of people living in rural England are at risk of being “left behind” and missing out on their fair share of future prosperity following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, council leaders warn today.

"It is disappointing that this report, which has taken the Government 10 months to publish, confirms that there were no new devolution deals in 2016/17"

“The announcement of the first new devolution deals in 20 months is encouraging and will benefit those living in the North of Tyne region and the West Midlands, but many more such deals are needed to reverse the growing sense of stalled progress and missed opportunities across much of the country. “Councils want their residents to be able to enjoy ‘devolution delight’ rather than suffer ‘devolution deadlock’. “The longer it takes to secure new devolution deals, the longer communities will have to wait to benefit from the opportunities currently available to areas where devolution has taken