Devolution will be "default in our constitution" rather than "at the whim of a minister in Whitehall", Angela Rayner said as she launched plans to overhaul local government.Under the reforms published on Monday, two-tier council areas will be abolished, and every region of England will be covered by new "strategic authorities", similar to the regions which currently have elected regional mayors.Critics of the plans have however warned they could create "mega councils" and erode power at the most

Devolution will be "default in our constitution" rather than "at the whim of a minister in Whitehall", Angela Rayner said as she launched plans to overhaul local government.Under the reforms published on Monday, two-tier council areas will be abolished, and every region of England will be covered by new "strategic authorities", similar to the regions which currently have elected regional mayors.Critics of the plans have however warned they could create "mega councils" and erode power at the most-local levels.