William Eichler 02 March 2020

Government urged to 'think big' to tackle regional inequalities

A comprehensive review of economic decline and social division has called for a ‘large-scale, comprehensive, long-term and devolved’ plan of action to deliver change.

The UK2070 Commission’s report found that regional inequalities in the UK continue to increase, with real growth in productivity being almost twice the average in London and nearly 50% of employment growth being in the south-east.

Commission chair Lord Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, said many people in Britain felt ‘left behind’ by growth elsewhere and that had contributed to the ‘acrimonious debate about Europe’.

He said: ‘They [the inequalities] reflect an over-centralised system that fails to comprehend the reality of regional need and consistently comes up with policies that are either under-resourced, too fragmented or too short-lived to make a difference.

‘The scale of the challenge we face is such that we need a generational shift if we are to avoid serious decline and division.’

The commission called for a devolution of powers and resources from central government to local communities.

Chair of the Local Government Association’s city regions board, Sir Richard Leese, said: ‘Taking decisions over how to run local services closer to where people live is key to improving them.

‘With the promised White Paper due this year, councils want to work with the Government to reignite devolution in England.

'Any new approach needs to move beyond bespoke deals with individual areas to a devolution baseline – a package of devolved powers that is available to all of English local government.

'These new powers need to be underpinned by statute so that they, along with those powers already devolved through existing deals, provide a sustainable long-term basis to drive inclusive growth across England.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Product Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£33512 - £39425 per annum + Hybrid Working
*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Security Architect

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. E England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Control Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564 plus shift and weekend allowance
Are you looking for your next opportunity to work as part of a team in a 24-hour emergency control room covering the Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. To be responsible for receiving and logging calls from the public, outside agencies and partners. Use Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior User Centered Designer

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the fr England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Network and Communications Lead

Essex County Council
£52621 - £61906 per annum + Hybrid working
Interviews will be held W/C 20th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner