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Research published today by a leading
think-tank shows that centralisation has allowed
England to develop the worst regional
inequalities in the developed world. It finds
that despite being home to just a third of people
in England, almost half (47%) of the increase in
jobs in the last decade was in London and the
South East.
Crucially, they find that these regional
economic divides do not benefit people in London
either. Londoners face the highest rates of
income inequality in the country, as well as the
highest rate of poverty in England with 28% of
people in the capital trapped in relative
poverty, after housing costs.
The IPPR North report says that this
Parliament must be the “Devolution Parliament” to
truly “level up” the country with a four-year
programme that puts power and resources into
towns, cities and regions across England.
Levelling up can only be achieved by
putting mayors and local leaders in the driving
seat, researchers argue. And the government must
open the door to devolution across England, while
letting places like Greater Manchester, West
Midlands and London take on more power
too.
Today’s paper shows that these divides –
both between England’s regions, and between the
people living within them – have been enabled by
our uniquely centralised political system.
The report shows how other countries, like
Germany, have more devolved economic powers and
are better placed to support economic prosperity
- Germany spends twice as much locally or
regionally on supporting their economies, as a
percentage of GDP.
Today’s report sets out a blueprint for a
four-year programme of devolution across England.
Key proposals include:
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A new geography of regional
collaboration with four regions
in the North, the Midlands, South East and
South West of England led by council leaders
and mayors
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More power to mayors and local
leaders including schools
commissioning, jobcentres and some taxes – like
in many other countries
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A Convention
on Devolution in England to set a
direction of travel on devolution and empower
citizens
Senior Research Fellow at IPPR
North, Luke Raikes said:
“For too long, Westminster has hoarded
power and held back prosperity in all of
England’s regions, including London.
“Levelling up should mean opening the
door for all of England to benefit from
devolution, while also letting areas that have
devolution take on more.
“This Parliament must be the Devolution
Parliament. It is time to overturn the
centralisation that’s let towns, cities and
regions fall into decline. The government must
give places the power and resources they need, to
adapt to the decades of change that lie
ahead.”
ENDS
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