The white paper promises devolution. But sweeping away district councils will not drive growth
Giving with one hand while taking away with the other, the government’s devolution white paper promises to empower local councils in England while simultaneously telling them what to do. Like their Conservative predecessors, ministers are mainly interested in local authorities because they recognise that they are key to economic growth. The kind of development that the government is desperate to see will not happen unless councils can work with businesses to address the need for investment in skills, transport and housing as well as jobs.
Housebuilding and green energy infrastructure are at the forefront of Labour’s ambitions for the English regions. So it makes sense that the choicest offering for localists in the new legislation is the promise of increased planning powers for beefed-up strategic authorities. Metro mayors will soon have the chance to shape local rail services and to copy Andy Burnham in Manchester by introducing contactless, integrated ticketing across the buses, trains and trams that link up localities.
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