asked Her Majesty's Government:

What recent assessment they have made of the benefits of (a) regional government, and (b) city regions for the regional economy of the north-west. [HL4705]

In the Sub National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, the Government have been assessing ways of strengthening the economic drivers in regions and cities and at local level, as well as the optimal geographical levels for governance and decision-making across all the English regions, including the north-west. This includes examining the governance arrangements at the regional and city regional levels.

The review, published on 17 July, examined the roles and responsibilities of different organisations at different spatial levels—including at the regional and city regional levels. Some of the changes will require primary legislation and therefore it is anticipated that reforms will be implemented over the next three years.