Two more counties – Norfolk and Suffolk – will sign devolution deals today that will see local leaders take control over adult education budgets.
Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove is set to sign the deals in Norwich and Bury St Edmunds today, after chancellor Jeremy Hunt teased in the autumn statement that both counties were close to finalising arrangements.
The government said the deals combined were worth more than £1 billion over the next thirty years – £600 million for Norfolk and £480 million for Suffolk, and from May 2024 the two counties will get a directly elected leader.
It confirmed that both would get full control over their adult education budgets (AEBs) so they can shape provision to better meet local need, although a figure for how much those AEBs will be worth has not yet been given.
It is also expected to mean more responsibilities around skills, such as involvement in the local skills improvement plans (LSIPs).
More details are expected soon.
