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

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner