Economy

Ministers accused of having to bow to demands to keep manufacturing jobs in Britain after Brexit

New combined authority chiefs could improve services and boost local economies if offered new menu of powers, says think tank

Department-sponsored study flags move as part of wider reform of franchising system

Local Government Association asks all parties to commit to further devo rollout in their election manifestos

Ministerial direction was required by DfT perm sec to provide funds for project

Former Cabinet Office minister details plan of action for newly-launched drive to free industry from unnecessary EU bureaucracy

National Audit Office investigation finds £120m-plus spent in south-east has so far led to just one train operator introducing flexible part-time season tickets

Tory policy guru launches cross-party initiative to consider how post-Brexit regulations can support the economy, with support from former cabinet secretary Lord Butler and business leaders

ONS figures show that pay fell in real terms in the three months to February

Senior figure in Manchester devolution deal says Brexit shows centralised UK has not served country well

£120,000 post will forge links between science and technology sectors in effort to boost trade