When it comes to devolution, everyone talks a good game – but not everyone delivers. As we head into a General Election, there is bound to be a lot more talk as the political parties recognise it is popular with the people – but perhaps not so popular with politicians.
Former special adviser to Sajid Javid, Nick King, has written a report for the Centre for Policy Studies, calling for a ‘levelling up' – not just of the devolution deals dished out from central Government, but a rebalancing of the North/South divide. He has also called for the devolution of business rates to go ahead, a return of full control over council tax, and consideration to be given to other devolved taxes like local income tax and tourism taxes.