THE coalition’s flagship “localism” plans have come under fire from senior MPs and peers.

In a new report, the Commons communities and local government committee said the proposals were neither supported consistently nor implemented coherently across Whitehall and could result in more fragmented services.

It accused ministers of being too eager to impose their preferences about local decision-making, despite promising to give local communities a bigger say.

And localism should not be used as a cover for spending cuts, said the committee, especially as encouraging greater local participation would cost money.

Committee chairman Clive Betts said: “Most Government departments have adopted whatever definition of ‘localism’ suits their aims.

“The litmus test for delivering a more localist political culture will be how ministers react to devolved decisions they dislike.”

He warned Government policies on elected police commissioners, free schools, academies and health service reform threatened to fragment local public services.

North peers Jeremy Beecham and John Shipley, both former Newcastle council leaders, attacked the Localism Bill despite ministers declaring it will shift power from Whitehall to town halls.