When handouts go straight to ministers' constituencies, it's time for local control | Simon Jenkins

Councils are forced to come cap in hand for funds, while the favouritism of MPs such as Robert Jenrick is given free rein

Before last year’s election, Boris Johnson’s local government minister, Robert Jenrick, announced a massive £3.6bn of handouts to 101 “left-behind” towns across England. Forty of these were defined by Whitehall as most in need. The remainder were allegedly chosen by two ministers, Jenrick and his number two, Jake Berry. Most were marginal seats, all but one of which voted Tory...