Labour’s first King’s Speech included a Devolution Bill for England. Among others, its explanatory notes suggested the Bill will contain a clearer framework for powers on offer, streamlined processes for establishing and progressing all types of Combined Authorities and trailblazer-type agreements, a devolution-by-default approach from central government, and community empowerment measures. In this Espresso Shot David and Mike discuss what this means for Combined Authorities, local government in general, and opportunities for different geographies as the Bill progresses towards eventually becoming an Act.
Is the English Devolution Bill a springboard or brake?
Most political parties suggest a strong devolution narrative in opposition, but tend to row back when they get into government. Ahead of the General Election the Labour Party signalled a direction of travel for English localities that focused on Combined Authorities (CAs) as the preferred governance model and locus for sub-national economic development programmes and funding. This looked to extend CAs to every city region and county not already part of one, and abandoning deal-based bespoke devolution with its trailblazers and menu of powers in exchange for increased scrutiny, in favour of a single streamlined framework. There was very little, if anything, concrete on fiscal devolution - nothing even on the right to levy local tourist taxes, arguably the lowest of low-hanging fruit.
In the episode Mike observes that recent statements from Ministers would appear to row back on Labour’s earlier disdain for deal-based approaches with warmer words on local areas moving at their own pace on devolution. The English Devolution Bill certainly seems to allow places to progress at their own pace as opposed to prescribing what Government intends to happen next, and it says nothing specific about fiscal devolution.
I am perhaps more ‘glass-half-full’. The framework, streamlined processes, and the right of initiative intentions do provide a platform for progress everywhere in England. Even if asymmetrical progress is inevitable (and it may in fact be desirable), the opportunity is there for sub-national leadership teams to make the Bill fit for accelerated and enhanced devolution purposes.
What might CAs, LAs and local partners do next?
There are several action points that need to be progressed over the Autumn. First, CAs, LAs and key partners across all geographies should collaborate where possible to influence the Act as it emerges from the various parliamentary stages. There is also a voluminous legacy from the Sunak Government – Trailblazers, new CAs and County CAs. Delivering these effectively and expanding their reach where a case can be made, is critical to the devolution journey. And there is an opportunity for ‘blank areas’ to consider how they wish to play into these agendas, and firm up their propositions or develop new ones to progress their local ambitions. There are particular questions for LAs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in this regard.
Related to these points is translating and shaping the new government’s multiple agendas across LED and placemaking – including for instance the Local Growth Plans and the strategic planning reforms. With the devolution framework likely to include strategic planning, transport and infrastructure, skills and employment, and local growth plans at the minimum, making sense of government missions and departmental priorities so they can contribute positively to your local and regional economic circumstances is going to be a major challenge.
Finally, Mike and I cover how important it is to use local MPs and groupings of sub-regional MPs to articulate your views nationally – especially in geographies that have not customarily had major Labour MP cohorts in their geographies.
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