Government should help areas devolve as much as possible, report finds

A new report examining the government’s levelling up agenda has found more devolved powers are needed to empower local leaders.

The Devolution All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) report examines the Levelling Up White Paper released back in February, with evidence from local government leaders, academics and businesses.

The group recommended areas be devolved as much as possible, so they are less constrained, and suggested a review of the requirement for a directly elected mayor to achieve the highest levels of devolution.

Chair of the APPG, Andrew Lewer MBE MP said: ‘Rarely in this nation’s modern history has politics been so febrile and therefore a clear direction of travel in key areas of national life been so hard to fully understand. The effects this instability has over whole areas of public policy with the potential to be impacted by the Levelling Up White Paper are profound. Some guidance from a respected source as to how to proceed should therefore be even more welcome than usual.

‘The appetite for new devolution deals is very clear, and we know from our evidence that where they are right, they can be transformative. The Government must, however, listen more to local communities about what they want and what works for them. For levelling up to truly succeed, it must be locally led and draw on the deep well of skills and experience in our existing local government structures.’

An expanded devolution framework and reform of the processes for local areas to receive funding from central government would also enhance the levelling up agenda the report said.

To combat NHS difficulties, integrated care systems and health devolution in future deals could help to narrow Health Life Expectancy (HLE) gaps and provide adequate funding to public health provision.

Image by Valery Tenevoy