New Devolution Deals Announced for Multiple Regions

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EUROPE, UNITED KINGDOM. ​The government is unwavering in its mission to extend devolution throughout the entirety of the country, with a particular focus on ensuring that full devolution is achieved across the North of England. This commitment is part of a broader strategy to empower local communities and enhance regional governance, ensuring that every corner of the country has access to the benefits of devolution.

​In line with this goal, the government has pledged to prioritise the Northern areas that have yet to receive comprehensive devolution deals in the upcoming negotiations. The intention is to foster a collaborative approach where local communities can tailor their governance structures to meet their unique needs and aspirations best.

Recent developments have already set the stage for progress, with new devolution agreements being announced for regions including Lancashire, Greater Lincolnshire, Hull, East Yorkshire, Devon, and Torbay. These agreements mark a significant milestone in the devolution agenda, aiming to bring more localised decision-making power and resources to these regions, thereby enhancing their economic and social development.

Furthermore, the government has identified specific sectors for targeted investment within the context of this devolution push. Notably, it backs advanced manufacturing initiatives in the West Midlands and focuses on life sciences in West Yorkshire. This strategic investment is designed to stimulate economic growth and job creation, with this year’s funding earmarked for the Mayors’ Investment Zones, which are crucial for driving innovation and attracting private sector involvement.

Investment Zones play a pivotal role in this transformational agenda. These zones have been effectively established in several Combined Authorities across England, where they integrate tax incentives with flexible funding arrangements. The aim is to facilitate research and development, enhance skills training, provide robust business support, and improve local infrastructure and planning frameworks.

In addition to these measures, the government has announced further initiatives to reinforce its commitment to devolution. Among these initiatives is introducing the English Devolution Bill, highlighted in the recent King’s Speech. This bill is expected to lay the groundwork for a more streamlined and effective devolution process.

Additionally, the government plans to establish the Council of the Nations and Regions, a new advisory body, details of which will be provided in due course. This council is considered critical in advising on and shaping regional policies. Moreover, existing mayors have been tasked with developing Local Growth Plans tailored to their specific areas to enhance regional growth and development strategies.

Taking Greater Manchester as a case study, the region illustrates the potential benefits of devolution. Having embraced devolution for a substantial period, it boasts some of the most profound powers and has emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas in the UK over the past two decades. Forecasts indicate that it will continue to outpace the national growth average in the years ahead, serving as a testament to the benefits of localised governance.

Overall, the latest devolution agreements signify that over 60% of the country will now be encompassed by some devolution deal. This marks a significant milestone in the government's commitment to empower local communities and drive sustainable regional development nationwide. Through these concerted efforts, the government aims to ensure that every region, particularly in the North, can leverage devolved powers to foster economic growth, enhance public services, and improve the quality of life for their residents.