Liverpool has become the latest city region to sign up to George’s Osborne’s devolution revolution, with local authority leaders set to sign a historic new deal today.

The agreement is another massive boost to the Northern Powerhouse with Liverpool City Region becoming the fifth major northern city region to sign up to a deal which will give its local leaders sweeping new powers.

This follows recent deals signed with local leaders in Greater Manchester; Sheffield City Region, the North East and Tees Valley.

A deal is also set to be signed today with the West Midlands – the first region outside of the Northern Powerhouse to do so.

Communities Minister Greg Clark and Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Jim O’Neill are set to sign the agreement alongside local leaders today in Liverpool.

This deal also includes control over investment worth £30 million a year for the next 30 years. A total of £900 million will help unlock the huge economic potential of the iconic River Mersey and the new Superport as well as maximising the opportunities from HS2.

Chancellor George Osborne said: “Today is a historic day for the Liverpool City Region and a historic day for the Northern Powerhouse. This revolutionary deal cements the area’s position as a gateway to the north, from North Wales all the way to Newcastle, and gives local people control over their own affairs for the first time.

Communities Minister Greg Clark said: “This One Nation government is determined to ensure power is devolved from Whitehall to local people, to put an end to the old north-south divide and rebalance our economy.

“This Liverpool City Region deal demonstrates how local leaders are embracing this opportunity to have a direct hand in shaping the future of their area, whether in skills, transport or housing.”