RESISTANCE to so-called metro mayors and confusion about their role is preventing the progress of devolution in many areas, a report claims.

The study by the British Academy, part of its ‘Governing England’ project, found a lack of public enthusiasm for additional politicians and very low levels of public engagement.

Concerns were also expressed that mayors had been imposed, with too much power invested in one person.

The organisation, which was established by Royal Charter in 1902, held meetings around the country with council leaders, policy makers and academics to discuss the appetite for devolution.

The North-East got its first metro mayor in May when Tory Ben Houchen was elected Tees Valley mayor, albeit in a low turnout.

The post was a condition imposed by former Chancellor George Osborne in order that powers and control over spending could be devolved out of Whitehall.

Mr Houchen has said hundreds of millions pounds worth of investment from the Government is being levered into the region.

But the British Academy report suggests he and England’s five other metro mayors still have a great deal to do to convince the public.

It said without strong public support for new combined authorities and metro mayors, it was “difficult to assess how English devolution will succeed”.

Co-chair of the project, Professor Iain McLean said the future for devolution looked uncertain and it could slip further down the political agenda with issues such as Brexit looming large.