Restoring the Balance: Strengthening the Government's proposals for regional assemblies
Article
Regional assemblies with powers over economic growth, planning, culture and housing could be created in England's regions within the next few years. It is a crucial step forward in the devolution process and could answer the English Question: how is England to be governed following the devolution of power to Scotaland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
John Adams and John Tomaney have been closely involved in the development of policy on regional devolution. They revisit the case for devolution, arguing that it ought to be part of the Government's vision for a more progressive United Kingdom; welcome the publication of Your Region, Your Choice, but note that the mixed bag of powers reflects Whitehall turf wars not objective analysis; and suggest how the Government's proposals could be strengthened, so that future assemblies might better be able to tackle the very serious problems which they face.
Related items
Planes, trains and automobiles: How green transport can drive manufacturing growth in the UK
Transport is essential to our lives. Unfortunately, it is currently also the largest source of UK domestic carbon emissions.Regional economies: The role of industrial strategy as a pathway to greener growth
Regions like the North should have a key role to play in the development of a green industrial strategy.Achieving the 2030 child poverty target: The distance left to travel
On 27 March, the Scottish government will announce whether Scotland’s 2023 child poverty target – no more than 18 per cent of children in poverty – was achieved.