Debates on devolution to the North to be aired

The programme will look at the findings of a new opinion poll commissioned by the BBC on what voters, politicians and decision-makers in England think about devolving more powers from Westminster to English regions.

The poll will inform a series of regional TV debates broadcast on BBC One at 10.35pm on Wednesday (November 5).

In the North-East and Yorkshire regions, local BBC news programmes will debate the findings.

The research shows that while the majority of participants say they are pleased about the result of the Scottish Referendum, at least four out of five people in every English region support having more powers devolved to local areas.

And, while there is agreement across England that too much of the country’s resources are spent in London, at least two thirds of people in each region feel Britain is better off for having a strong capital city.

The research also found that 85 per cent of participants in the North-East and 81 per cent in Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire supported giving more decision-making powers on issues such as tax, education and policing to local areas. The poll also found that 78 per cent of those polled in the North-East and 75 per cent in Yorkshire agreed that too much of the country’s resources were spent in London. This compares with a substantial minority in London (43 per cent) who agreed with it.

The programme will be aired at 10.35pm on BBC One.