FINANCE

What will it take to bite the bullet on finance?

A new report has called for a 'levelling up' - not just of devo deals, but a rebalancing of the North/South divide, says Heather Jameson - and 'now it seems the carrot is to offer the option of local government reorganisation'.

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.

Heather Jameson

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