Cornwall has been named as one of just nine areas of the country that will be invited to agree on a new county deal as part of the Government's levelling up programme.

And the county has also been chosen to be one of the first Education Investment Areas (EIAs) which will aim to provide more money for education to raise standards.

The announcements were made by the Department for Levelling Up ahead of the publication of the Levelling Up White Paper later today.

Cornwall Council has been working for some time on drawing up a new county deal bid which seeks to take responsibility for a number of areas as well as seeking funding for major economic growth and development schemes.

Whilst details of what Cornwall might receive under the county deal have not been released Cornwall Council leader Linda Taylor said she welcomed the announcement that Cornwall is in the first list of areas which could benefit.

She said: "We are very pleased. It is a commitment that we talked about when out campaigning (ahead of last year's local elections) and moving on to have that county deal.

"We knew we were going to be invited and we are very, very pleased. The devil is in the detail and we need to see what is going to be available as we move ahead."

She added: "The Government is honouring its pledge to help level up local areas."

In the announcement the Government has indicated that directly elected mayors could be the best way to deliver change and secure devolved powers.

It states: "The government recognises the strong local leadership mayors like Andy Street, Ben Houchen and Andy Burnham have shown, and wishes to replicate this success across England.

"Fundamental to this 'devolution revolution' will be a new model for England with more mayors for those areas that want one."

The idea of a directly elected mayor for Cornwall has been raised before and has divided opinion.

When asked whether this would be something that would be considered for Cornwall Cllr Taylor said: "We will need to look at that detail and what is in the different terms of the offer and we will base our final decisions on that."

The other areas invited to bid for county deals are Derbyshire & Derby; Devon, Plymouth and Torbay; Durham; Hull & East Yorkshire; Leicestershire; Norfolk; Nottinghamshire & Nottingham; and Suffolk.

Cornwall has also been named as one of 55 EIAs which will receive additional funding for education.

This will include cash to retain teaching staff, provide new training and skills facilities and more support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Welcoming the announcement Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackrory said:

"I am delighted to see the Government realise Cornwall's potential with this announcement that we are to become an Education Investment Area. This is excellent news and I look forward to seeing the detail of the announcement and working with Cornwall Council to realise this fantastic opportunity for children and young people in Truro and Falmouth."

Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, added:

"I am absolutely delighted that the government has recognised Cornwall as being one of the EIAs and I will work closely with colleagues and Cornwall Council to ensure that this funding is targeted at those who need it most."

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