Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, along with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, plans to devolve key powers from Westminster to local authorities across England. This marks the end of the “levelling up” agenda and aims to start a new era of devolution. On Tuesday, the fifth day of their term, they will meet with every regional mayor in England as they prepare a devolution bill for next week’s king’s speech.
Starmer believes that local authorities, having a better understanding of their needs, should take over responsibilities such as public transport, infrastructure, and skills funding to boost economic growth. He emphasized his commitment to collaborating with metro mayors to support local economic growth.
Rayner criticized the previous government’s centralized control, which she said hindered local opportunities and forced local leaders to depend on Westminster’s decisions. She pledged to transfer power from Whitehall to local communities through upcoming devolution legislation.
The Labour government has been active in outlining their growth plans, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves ending the ban on onshore wind projects in England and re-imposing mandatory housing targets to build 300,000 new homes annually. Starmer visited Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, promising to repeal the controversial Legacy Act in Northern Ireland and improve relations with the Irish government.
Labour officials are focused on addressing problems left by the previous Conservative government, including the prisons crisis and NHS waiting lists. Health Secretary Wes Streeting met with the British Dental Association to discuss the crisis in NHS dental services.
Devolution is seen as a cost-effective way to boost growth. Starmer’s meeting with England’s mayors will encourage local authorities to propose powers they want to take over. The government aims to finalize deals with areas like Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Lancashire, and Surrey, and extend devolution to urban areas without current deals, such as Brighton, Leicester, Portsmouth, and Reading.
Experts suggest the government should commit to covering more of England with devolution deals, with a goal of reaching 85% of the country by the end of the parliament.