Political parties should pledge to end overcentralisation and extend devolution to fight voter apathy and widespread cynicism with Government, a panel of MPs has recommended.
A number of major conurbations plan to set up combined authorities after Greater Manchester used the model to win groundbreaking devolved powers, it has emerged.
Fiscal and political devolution must come hand in hand, The Infrastructure Forum has said in its Autumn Statement submission.
Alex Thomson is quoted in the Financial Times’ front page article on councils setting aside 2.3bn in the past financial year.
The West Midlands has launched a combined authority in anticipation of a shift towards further devolution.
Government plans to hand extra powers to Manchester under a directly-elected metro-mayor could open the floodgates to devolution in other cities and counties.
Around four-in-five people living in England support the devolution of more powers to local areas, pollsters have discovered.
Leeds and Sheffield are likely to join Manchester in gaining greater control of local spending within weeks as the UK government presses ahead with English devolution. Both city regions are likely to receive more powers over transport, skills, business support and housebuilding before Decembers Autumn Statement.
The Government has said it hopes Manchester will be the first of many cities to win greater devolution of powers after reaching an historic settlement.
Giving UK cities more powers and financial autonomy could boost the economy by up to £79bn a year, the independent City Growth Commission has found.