Chuka Umunna MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary responding to the Public Accounts Committee report on local growth, said:

“David Cameron came to office promising to rebalance Britain’s economy but instead his Government is holding local areas back while families hit by the cost-of-living crisis are not seeing the benefits.

“It is astonishing that almost 90 per cent of funds intended for boosting local growth and helping businesses across the country are sitting gathering dust in Whitehall. Government scheme after government scheme has been mired in chaos and confusion.

“Only Labour will deliver the better-balanced growth we need, built on the talents of all and give local areas and regions the powers they need.”