BBC News Published image captionThe system was "an astonishing assault on devolution", Welsh minister Rebecca Evans said The bidding process for a UK-wide fund for deprived areas is an "assault on devolution", a Welsh minister has said. Finance Minister Rebecca Evans was reacting to news there will be no role for the Welsh Government in handing out money from the new Levelling Up Fund. The fund makes councils in Wales the gateways for cash and also requires the backing of the local MP. The chief secretary to the Treasury rejected suggestions the UK Government was trying to sideline Welsh ministers.