The former head of the Civil Service, Lord Kerslake, has been drafted in to resolve the deadlock over Yorkshire devolution.

Lord Kerslake, who served as chief executive of Sheffield City Council between 1997 and 2008, has been invited to help as an ‘honest broker’ and will meet local authority bosses over the coming weeks.

The long-time Sheffield resident told The MJ: 'I'm very passionate about the region, sub-region and the city.

'I want to do anything I can to help to unlock investment, funding and powers from Government.'

The intervention comes after attempts by local government secretary Sajid Javid to break the deadlock failed to lead to a resolution.