Cameron says AWM could be ditched

The quango that is meant to bring investment to the West Midlands could be stripped of its powers under a Conservative government, David Cameron has said.

Speaking to the Express & Star at a meeting of leading Black Country businessmen in Brierley Hill, the Tory leader also offered encouragement for Conservative councils such as Birmingham, Wolverhamoton and Dudley, which have all announced job cuts.

He said: "The councils have got to do the right thing in terms of providing good services and keeping council tax down."

After vowing to rebuild Britain's economy and cut public sector spending he pledged to take away the powers of regional development agencies like Advantage West Midlands and give them to councils if called on to do so.

He said: "We have a permissive policy on regional development agencies. If local authorities and businesses want to come together and say we have a better way of encouraging development that is what will happen."