Devolution
Authorities get fit for 2030
Local government needs to accelerate change and grasp the opportunities offered by devolution if they want to stay relevant in 2030, says Paul Deegan.
System reset required: go to settings
As the APSE Local Government Commission 2030 launches its findings, Paul O’Brien says we need a big bang reset to resolve the issues facing local authorities.
Is Boris in a jam on devo?
Boris Johnson’s levelling up speech last week was designed to kick-start devolution, quash the critics and calm the blue wall. Heather Jameson asks, did it succeed?
Levelling up will not work without sustainable council funding
Rhetoric and big cash injections for large infrastructure projects are not the answer to the urgent issues councils and communities are facing, says Dr Arianna Giovannini.
Commission calls for funding reset
Local government needs a ‘funding floor’ at an agreed percentage of national income, a report on the future of the sector has said.
This is our chance to level up for Cornwall
The themes in the Prime Minister’s levelling up speech chime clearly with Cornwall Council’s plan to build back stronger, greener and fairer, says Cllr Linda Taylor.
Freeports threaten to ‘undermine devolution’
Devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales have raised concerns they are being sidelined by the UK Government as it presses ahead with establishing freeports.
Combined authorities lack ‘maturity’
A metro mayor has said combined authorities are not ready to take on new powers.
Government criticised for ‘lack of clarity’ over net-zero strategy
Auditors have criticised the Government for not providing local authorities with clarity about their role in achieving net-zero by 2050.
Johnson: Bring your devolution plans to me
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for local leaders to take their devolution plans to him in a keynote speech from the West Midlands this morning.
Health Bill could lead to more centralisation, claims commission
The Health and Care Bill could lead to a more centralised system, a cross-party commission has claimed.
Derbyshire councils plan 'alternative' to unitaries
Councils in Derbyshire have drawn up plans to find a ‘viable alternative’ to carving up the county into unitaries despite lacking the support of two authorities.
Reed accuses government of dropping devolution
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has accused the Government of dropping its commitment to devolution.
A plan for rail that falls short
Marcus Johns says the Government's long-delayed plan for rail plan is 'opaque on the role of devolution, local leaders, and regional bodies like Transport for the North'.
Mayors demand fiscal freedoms
The Government has been urged to go further with devolving powers to existing combined authorities.
Skills devolution key to levelling up
A panel of experts brought together by the Localis think-tank discussed how to bring about economic growth at a local level.
Counties can do the strategic and the local
The strategic abilities of local government to deliver national priorities locally and the real localism counties have shown could be a positive pandemic legacy, says Cllr Tim Oliver.
Devolution key to tackling health inequalities, report finds
Sir Michael Marmot has said increased funding and far-reaching new powers must be devolved to reduce regional inequalities in England.
Place is the crucial lens
Dr Jonathan Carr-West looks at how we might make levelling up and devolution work together.
Commission calls for local government to chair ICS partnerships
Local government leaders or metro mayors should chair Integrated care systems (ICSs) partnerships, according to a new report from the cross-party Health Devolution Commission.
