🏛️ English Devolution

Commons Chamber

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The Government has launched a bold plan to decentralize power from Westminster to local communities across England, aiming to boost regional economies and improve living standards through a new devolution framework. This initiative includes creating strategic authorities and empowering mayors with increased control over funding and decision-making in areas like transport, housing, and skills training. Critics, however, argue that the plan centralizes power into larger regional bodies, potentially undermining local voices and increasing costs for residents. The Minister insists that the changes are about partnership and local empowerment, not imposition, and calls for local areas to work together to submit proposals that fit their unique needs.

Summary

  • Government’s Vision: The Government aims to transform the UK economy through a “decade of reform” by devolving power from Westminster to local communities. This is intended to unlock growth, raise living standards, and deliver more homes, jobs, and opportunities.

  • English Devolution White Paper: The White Paper, supported by the English devolution Bill, outlines a plan to balance power between national and local communities. It focuses on ending economic division and stagnation by empowering local leadership.

  • Local Leadership: The Minister emphasized the importance of local leadership in driving change, citing past successes in Greater Manchester and the potential for similar benefits in other regions through mayoral models.

  • Mayoral Model Expansion: The Government plans to strengthen and expand the mayoral model of devolution across England. This includes giving mayors more control over rail networks, strategic planning, housing, and skills training to drive local growth.

  • Strategic Authorities: The creation of strategic authorities is proposed as a new tier of local government to give cities and regions a stronger voice in resource allocation and support.

  • Devolution Timeline: The Government will soon announce a priority program for areas ready to accelerate devolution, with inaugural mayoral elections planned for May 2026. Areas interested are encouraged to participate.

  • Local Government Support: The statement addressed the need for a strong local government, promising multi-year funding settlements and an end to competitive bidding for funds, aiming to restore stability and effectiveness in local councils.

  • Unitary Councils: A plan for local government reorganisation into unitary councils with populations of 500,000 or more was proposed to streamline service delivery and improve efficiency.

  • Opposition Concerns: The shadow Minister criticized the White Paper, arguing it centralizes power rather than devolving it, potentially undermining local democracy and increasing financial burdens on residents.

  • Accountability and Scrutiny: The Minister responded to queries about accountability by promising an outcomes framework for integrated settlements and a local public accounts committee to ensure devolved powers are used effectively.

  • Community Involvement: The White Paper aims to engage with communities, ensuring that local voices are heard and that devolution does not lead to disenfranchisement.

  • Transport and Infrastructure: Devolution of powers over local transport, including buses and rail, is highlighted as a key area to improve connectivity and service delivery at the local level.

  • Economic Growth: The Minister outlined the potential for devolution to boost economic growth significantly, with examples of regions like Greater Manchester already benefiting from such changes.

  • Public Services: The White Paper advocates for reforming and aligning public services with local governance to enhance democratic control and accountability over essential services.

Divisiveness

The session displays a notable level of disagreement, with opposition members expressing strong concerns about the government’s plans for English devolution. The main points of contention include the perceived top-down approach to devolution, potential erosion of local control, financial implications for councils, and the creation of new tiers of governance. However, there is also a significant level of agreement and support from members across different parties, particularly on the urgency for change and the aim to empower local communities. This duality of disagreement and agreement results in a moderate rating of 3, reflecting both the critical dissent and the affirmative aspects present in the session.