Devolution has the potential to tackle longstanding issues of over-centralisation in England. Over the past decades, efforts have been made in this direction and ‘devo deals' and the Northern Powerhouse are the latest examples of this. And yet, devolution has developed in fits and starts and continues to be a disconnected project.

Analysis from IPPR North – The Northern Powerhouse: 5 years in – shows that while some progress has been made, paucity of powers and funding, the lack of commitment on infrastructure investment and the effects of austerity are holding back the North. Some steps in the right direction have been made, but central government continues to retain too much leverage on the devolution agenda.