Dan Peters 21 June 2023

'No progress' on devolution to London

No progress on devolution to London image
Image: timages/Shutterstock

The capital appears to have ‘taken a step backwards’ on devolution, a former chair of London Councils has said.

Speaking a decade after then London mayor Boris Johnson endorsed the findings of the first London Finance Commission, which called for greater financial freedoms for the capital, Peter John said: ‘Whereas Manchester and Birmingham and the North East are making big strides forward in terms of combined authority powers and public service devolution, London actually seems to be standing still or has actually taken a step backwards.

'There has been no progress.

'Where has the progress been in terms of potential new powers regionally for education or for health, evcn for greater skills devolution quite frankly?

‘Really, there’s absolutely no progress on [fiscal devolution].

'I think that’s going to be the great battle I think in terms of devolution because even Manchester, even with their wins would not say we’re anywhere close to being self-sufficient or financially independent as a region in the way that we would hope we could be so I think that’s where the tension lies in the years ahead.’

Following the publication of the report by the Commission on the UK’s Future, chaired by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Labour has pledged to ‘consider how devolution and constitutional reform can act as another tool in driving community participation in politics’.

However, Mr John, a former Labour leader of Southwark LBC, suggested it was ironic for Mr Brown to call for financial and economic devolution considering his record as chancellor.

To continue reading visit The MJ (£)

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Planning Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 Grade 12 £42,708 to £46,731 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Durham County Council is looking for experienced and knowledgeable Senior Planning Officers to join our vibrant Development Management team. Our team Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Head of Service – Social Care

Wrexham County Borough Council
G15 £63,148 - £67,058 per annum
There is an exciting opportunity within Children Social Care to join the senior management team Wrexham (Wrecsam)
Recuriter: Wrexham County Borough Council

Head of Service Social Work & Specialist Support

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Grade M scp 60 £72,118 - scp 64 £77,293
There couldn’t be a more exciting time to join us. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Cafe Assistant - Weald Country Park

Essex County Council
Up to £13.3000 per hour
Café Assistant (Weald Country Park)Contract
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner