Challenges and Opportunities of Devolution in the UK
The challenges and complexities of devolution in the UK are discussed, focusing on the current policy context, proposed government plans, threats, opportunities, and the TUC strategy. Issues such as centralization, dependency on local authorities, regional economic disparities, and the need for constitutional change are highlighted. The principles of devolution, legislation introduced in 2016, and the debates around directly elected mayors are explored in this comprehensive analysis.
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Presentation Transcript
The Challenges of Devolution Lynn Collins NWTUC Regional Secretary
Introduction Current policy context debates and proposals Government plans legislation and implementation Threats, opportunities and challenges TUC strategy
Policy context This isn't new On the agenda of Tory and Labour governments Consensus across academic and policy world
What problem are we trying to solve? English model is too centralised Local authority dependency and lack of autonomy Regional economic inequality Decentralisation to date has been piecemeal and undermined by centralist tendencies Top down nature of public services Anomaly with devolved UK nations
Principles of devolution Enhance democracy through decision making closer to communities ownership and accountability Better design and delivery of public services responsive to local need integration and prevention Economic growth through greater local levers and agglomeration Decentralisation requires devolution political and fiscal Need for constitutional change No one size fits all Pace should move at the speed of the fastest
Legislation 2016 Act Directly elected mayors Combined Authorities to take over full range of functions Safeguards on health Limited funding flexibilities, e.g. Mayoral precept, transport levy Geographical flexibilities SoS power to change local governance structures Sub-national Transport Bodies BUT also local government funding reform Business Rate Retention
The problem with Mayors So with these new powers for cities must come new city-wide elected mayors who work with local councils. I will not impose this model on anyone. But nor will I settle for less. George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer
The Problem with Mayors The only people who actually want Mayors are people who want to be Mayors Lee Barron, Regional Secretary, Midlands TUC
Implementation Combined Authorities Deals in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, North East, West Midlands, Tees Valley and Sheffield City Regions and Cornwall CC .not all going smoothly!!! On-going negotiations with 35 others Health and social care integration Infrastructure funding, e.g. North East Investment Fund + 30m/year Further Education, Adult Skills and Apprenticeship Grant for Employers Bus franchising Work Programme co-commissioning Police and Fire PPCs
Increasing Decentralisation where does Devo take us? ADMINISTRATIVE Administrative functions and responsibilities undertaken at the sub-national level DECONCENTRATION Dispersal of central government functions and responsibilities to sub-national field offices. Powers transferred to lower level actors who are accountable to their superior's in a hierarchy DELEGATION Transfer of policy responsibility to local government or semi-autonomous organisations that are not controlled by central government but remain accountable to it POLITICAL Political functions of government and governance undertaken at the sub-national level FISCAL Autonomy over tax, spending and public finances ceded by central government to sub- national levels DEVOLUTION Central Government allows quasi-autonomous local units of government to exercise power and control over the transferred policy
Threats and Challenges Austerity Fragmentation exacerbated by outsourcing Accountability and governance Employment standards collective agreements Inter- and intra-regional competition what happens to those left behind? Devolution by name centrist by nature
But opportunities Political landscape Scope for trade union and community voice Alternative approaches the double dividend economic and social success Social capital and networks as economic engines Role of anchor institutions Local labour markets Positive procurement
Community voices It was Scottish civil society that showed its discontent with the Westminster parties and now it is time for English civil society to move centre stage too Ed Cox, IPPR North We need to make the case for our vision of community-driven devolution that creates hope, skills, jobs and collective spirit Tony Okatie, LCVS What is woefully lacking in the debate is the fundamental question about devolution: What is it for? Where is there anything about social solidarity or a more equal northern way? Judy Robinson, Involve Yorkshire and Humber
More community voices Present devolution proposals need to be penetrated by issues of environmental sustainability and ideas of national and local fairness. We need devolution to grow the social/civil economy Neil McInroy, CLES We need a renewed set of networks and organisations to share intelligence and analysis and we have to assume that the next two to three years will be difficult and messy. But there is an opportunity for a new leadership network of civil society to emerge with a different narrative and one which seeks to provide local and city regional level leadership and thinking which is needed now more than ever John Diamond, Edge Hill University
Even more community voices The precise local benefits and reasons for securing CA status and then a city deal can be difficult to identify. But this means that local discussion and determination is vitally important. It is about democracy, bringing other voices into the debate, other than the local elite of senior officers and Leaders, and other privileged partners Ed Hammond, Centre for Public Scrutiny Devolution has so far failed to involve people and communities. Without the right principles driving devolution, the potential will not be realised Locality/NAVCA
TUCs 5 Tests for Devolution Strong public services and fair funding Support for key industries Investment in infrastructure Investment in people, skills and jobs Trade union and community voice
