Devolution
Are the grown-ups in the room?
Labour’s alternative to levelling up could mark a step change to a more mature relationship between the centre and our regions, say Annabel Smith and Ben Franklin.
What next for unitarisation?
Ahead of the Mayoral elections, Steve Leach and Colin Copus ask if the proliferation of combined authorities has snookered the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ unitary authorities policy.
Devon councillors back devolution bid
Devon County Council members have voted in favour of going ahead with plans that could see more power transferred from Whitehall to Devon and Torbay.
Driving positive outcomes must be top of metro mayors' agenda
Improving outcomes for communities is at the heart of successful devolution and metro mayors must put in place a plan to achieve this from day one, says Kerry Scott.
What will the next steps be for the mayoral model?
While the offers to communities from mayors are maturing, there remain big questions to be answered by whichever party forms the next Government, says Zoë Billingham.
Devolution needs to be more ‘Kevin Keegan’
If the UK wants to emerge from its ‘odd decade’ into a better place, it must use devolution to boost the economic potential of its regions, says Henry Kippin.
Help councils unlock their true power
With LGA plans for a local government White Paper gathering pace, Lord Bichard reiterates the importance of councils being afforded a genuine partnership with central government – something he feels the next government must establish as a matter of priority.
Putting finance on the devolution to-do list
Seeking real fiscal autonomy for local government at times feels as elusive as the end of a rainbow, says Alison Griffin.
Government ignores sugar levy calls
The Government has ignored Local Government Association (LGA) calls for the sugar levy to be spent by councils to tackle physical inactivity.
Reform author pushes back on devo criticisms
The author of a report that proposed devolving NHS England’s £168bn budget and most services to local government has hit back at criticisms.
Labour’s local vision for growth
Adam Fineberg says Labour’s new localist Industrial Strategy is a manifesto aimed at reaping the benefits of more widely distributed growth across the country.
Why mayors matter
Polling shows the public wants more local control over policy decisions, and directly-elected mayors give them the chance to put place over politics, says Paul Swinney.
Finding the right prescription
Incremental improvements in collaboration, not wholesale change, is key to restoring faith in the health system, writes Matthew Taylor.
Next Government urged to look at devolving air passenger duty
The leader of a Labour council in the shadow of Heathrow Airport has urged the next Government to look at devolving air passenger duty (APD).
Powering up the North
Richard Stubbs and Michael Wood say the opportunity to strengthen both the health and economy of northern England is immense – and that is why deeper devolution is needed.
Reform should not be detached from wider purpose
The role of the centre and its interface with regions and localities must shift as devolution matures, writes Jessica Studdert.
Devolve NHS England's £168bn budget to local government, says report
NHS England’s £168bn budget should be handed to local government in a radical restructure, the Reform think-tank has suggested in a report today.
Parties draw battlelines for local elections
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has given a speech in Dudley today following campaign launches by the Conservatives and Lib Dems.
Growth key to devolution ambitions
Nathan Yeowell told The MJ’s Future Forum that aligning devolution with the aims of fostering economic growth would be key should Labour assume power following the General Election.
Local government loses 'strongest advocate' Rowsell
Tributes have been paid across the local government sector following the sudden death of Paul Rowsell.
