AN AMBITIOUS plan which it is claimed could bring an extra £4 billion to the economy and win more power to boost jobs and growth in Devon and Somerset has been submitted to the government.

The “prospectus for productivity” is part of devolution plans wanted by council chiefs and business leaders to improve the lives of people in Devon and Somerset.

It says changes they propose would result in higher productivity and betterpaid jobs, improved road, rail and broadband links, and more homes for the region’s growing population.

The submission of the bid follows months of concentrated work by council chiefs in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay with 13 district councils, Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks, the local NHS and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

They want more powers and finance devolved from Westminster to the region.

The document promises that if local councils have greater freedom, by 2030 they will help deliver:

• A £4billion uplift to the economy

• 163,000 new jobs

• 179,000 more homes

• Higher wage levels

• Apprenticeship starts up by 400 per cent

• Every young person in education, employment or training

• A better qualified workforce

• Faster, more reliable rail services with greater capacity

• Faster road journeys with less congestion

• 100 per cent superfast broadband coverage

• A UK centre of excellence for skills development

Devon County Council leader John Hart said: “We are presenting a united front to the government and saying this is our vision for our region, let’s negotiate on how you can help us to achieve it.”