“I know that most people won’t look twice at the announcement of something called the ‘Devolution Bill’. But this is a really important piece of legislation that will change the way our country is run.

“This legislation matters because it’s about making sure decisions that affect people’s lives aren’t made hundreds of miles away in Westminster, but right here in the communities they affect by people who know the patch and understand the challenges.

“In the Liverpool City Region, we’ve already shown what we can achieve when we’re given the power to act. We’ve delivered new homes and jobs, a publicly owned train fleet, and we’re working to build a transport network that’s quicker, cheaper and easier to use. We’ve led the way on green energy, on digital connectivity, successfully piloting AI in schools and on helping people back into work.

“But we know we could do even more. This Bill is a big step towards levelling the playing field for areas like ours – giving us more of the tools we need to get on with the job and improve people’s everyday lives.

“I’m pleased to see a government that understands the value of devolution and is serious about rolling it out further. I’ll be working closely with ministers to make sure the final legislation delivers the maximum benefit for our residents – and helps us keep building a region that’s the best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business.”