An expanded devolution deal for the North East of England has been unveiled by the government, which will see the adult education budget transfer to local leaders by 2024.
The government last week announced a new £1.4 billion deal encompassing authorities on both sides of the Tyne.
Currently the North of Tyne Combined Authority, established in 2019, covers Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland, while the non-mayoral North East Combined Authority serves Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead and Durham.
Government chiefs said that under its expanded devolution deal plans, those two authorities will no longer exist and a new North East Mayoral Combined Authority formed incorporating those areas.
