North-east England £1.4bn deal could be ‘transformational’, says mayoral favourite

A £1.4bn devolution deal for north-east England could be “transformational” for the region but would not reverse 12 years of austerity, the frontrunner to be the region’s first mayor has said.

Jamie Driscoll, the Labour mayor for the north of Tyne region, said he did “cartwheels down the street” when the levelling up secretary, Michael Gove, confirmed the new combined authority would receive £48m a year plus powers over transport…