Business backs Berry’s new role

Business leaders have welcomed Theresa May’s move to extend the role of Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry in one of her last moves as Prime Minister.

The Lancashire MP’s role, which had been based in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, has now become a joint appointment with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

In a statement the government said the move would improve oversight and coordination of local economic growth policy.

And it would ensure “key policies like the £1.6bn Stronger Towns Fund and the Northern Powerhouse are at the heart of delivering the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.”