Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Paragraph: 24
Devolution across the United Kingdom has been pursued for different purposes, and its scope, structure,...
Recommendation
Devolution across the United Kingdom has been pursued for different purposes, and its scope, structure, and geography reflect this. There needs to be clarity on the most important purposes of English devolution. This can then guide discussions on the appropriate geography and institutions that are needed. The Government should clearly outline what it considers to be the purpose(s) of devolution and why those are the right ends for which devolution is the means. It should then consult widely with stakeholders and the public on its proposed purposes. Careful consideration should particularly be given to the purpose of combined authorities and the appropriate boundaries for them to have.
Paragraph Reference:
24
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
While talent is spread equally across our country, opportunity is not. Levelling up is a mission to challenge, and change, that unfairness. Levelling up means giving everyone the opportunity to flourish. It means people everywhere living longer and more fulfilling lives, and benefitting from sustained rises in living standards and wellbeing. This requires us to end the geographical inequality which is such a striking feature of the UK. Fundamentally, devolution is a means to an end. The government believes that strong and dynamic local leadership, that can understand how complex issues come together in a place, tailor policy to local priorities, attract investment and seize each area’s opportunities, is critical to levelling up. Strengthening local leadership through devolution will give local politicians control of the levers they need to level up and deliver better outcomes and services for local residents. The Levelling Up White Paper sets out a plan to extend, deepen and simplify devolution across England so that by 2030, every part of England that wants one will have a devolution deal. This will allow areas to build their institutional capital (for example, local leadership capacity and capability) and give local leaders the tools they need to build up the other capitals (physical, human, intangible, financial and social) that will help address regional inequalities and deliver levelling up. These deals will not all be with combined authorities but will also be with individual councils where they cover a whole county area. The UK Government will embark on a process of sustained and systematic engagement and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including devolved administrations, on the White Paper. This engagement will be ongoing. The White Paper also committed to working with mayors and local leaders in the shaping of local growth strategy. One of the four key principles of the new devolution framework set out in the White Paper is to deliver devolution across England at a sensible geography. It is important that new devolution deals are based on geographies that are locally recognisable in terms of identity, place and community as well as being sensible economic areas. On that basis, any future devolution deal should be agreed over a functional economic area or a whole county geography. To ensure decisions are taken over a strategic geography, for any tier of devolution, the council or group of councils seeking devolution must have a combined population of at least 500,000. The Government expects upper-tier local authorities with a population of less than 500,000 to collaborate with their neighbouring authorities to agree a sensible geography for a devolution deal.