Planning is the responsibility of local government, and, as Mr Osborne pointed out, councils already have the power to redesignate land for building.

ECONOMIST: The green belt is sacred. It should not be

We go in and look at those things that would be the responsibility of state and local government.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

The Department for Communities and Local Government wants local authorities generally to take direct responsibility for easing the burden on taxpayers of benefits which they say have been spiralling for too long.

BBC: Public to choose between tax rises and benefit cuts