What does full fat devolution mean for the North of England
Launching Devo North in Manchester yesterday, Devo Agency hosted its inaugural northern network and asked, ‘What does full fat devolution mean for the North of England?’
The event brought together delegates from across politics, economics, business, communications, public affairs, academics and leading voices in devolution and addressed three fundamental issues:
We need better and positive communications from the Government - the language and literacy around devolution doesn’t resonate with the public.
The democratic deficit must be addressed. How we engage with the public on the issues that matter to them and their communities - greater clarity about what devolution is for and what it’s not. Education, skills, transport, housing and infrastructure that create opportunities, good growth and happy, stronger and better connected communities.
Do the North's Metro Mayors have the tools they need to succeed and deliver prosperity without full fat fiscal devolution? If Mayors are still dependent on a centralised HM Treasury - great ambitions for a better connected North will fail. Investment and partnership are critical to delivery and growth in the Great North.
Panellists included Jo Platt MP for Leigh and Atherton and Chair of the Greater Manchester APPG, Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Thomas Pope Deputy Chief Economist for the Institute for Government and Gill Morris Co-founder and creator of the Devo Agency.
In her opening remarks, Devo Agency founder Gill Morris warned of the challenges
“The recent Spending Review provides a framework for the next three years and an opportunity to move away from the language of the economic doom loop, towards economic growth ignited with big infrastructure projects which will drive investment into the Great North. Nothing is a quick win in the North and the real test will be whether the HM Treasury will ever let go of the purse strings to let Metro Mayors deliver the homes promised, the transport infrastructure needed, and the skills required to build an inclusive economy that quell the public’s current frustration. It is in place based economies where communities feel the difference and devolution is the magic ingredient to deliver this change but only if communication and trust are improved with the public and Westminster. Our Northern Mayors know what the people and places they serve need and must be trusted to deliver. There is a gaping gap which will only get bigger if the centre doesn’t trust the North’s Mayors to deliver change. That gap needs to be filled with accountability, trust and clarity. Devo North Network is about generating the debate and improving the communications and the dynamic between local, regional and national politics. Let’s hope the Devolution Bill will kickstart a new energy to drive transformative growth and democratic renewal. We need to know who is in charge, what mayors are for and all wrapped up with great communications.”
Speaking at the event Jo Platt MP said;
“There has been a huge shift in politics from Westminster to the North. Full fat devolution has the ability, if done properly, to speak to local communities and across geographical boundaries. It can drive good growth, economic renewal and democratic accountability but only if it is embedded within communities and doesn’t just stand for another layer of bureaucracy in the public minds. That is why we need to work together with the Mayors to deliver and show the benefits of devolution and make change happen.”
Henri Murison, Chief Executive, Northern Powerhouse Partnership said;
“Fiscal devolution is a critical next step in strengthening the powers of mayors and combined authorities across the North. When local leaders have more control over how money is raised as well as spent, it will result in stronger accountability and incentives to make decisions in the long-term economic interest of their region.
We’ve seen the difference that devolution can make, but to truly unlock the North’s potential, we need to move towards a model that gives local leaders the financial autonomy in a framework of independently overseen fiscal transfers as we have called for previously.
The Devo North Network will provide a welcome platform for this debate, supporting our civic and wider leaders to make the case for deeper devolution across the North as we fast approach its adoption universally here.”
Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist, Institute for Government said;
“The big increase in investment announced at the spending review, including for transport and R&D, should benefit the North - especially its city regions. We await details of mayors’ integrated settlements, which will confirm how much mayors can spend to drive growth locally. More flexibility for mayors to make decisions over spending in their regions will be as important as an uplift in the quantum”
To become part of the debate on devolution join the agency for change network for the North of England Devo North.
Sign up here https://www.devoagency.co.uk/contact