Replacing government grants with revenue streams from taxation will not in itself reduce regional inequalities. But the political implications are radical Following Wednesday’s budget, the Treasury minister, Torsten Bell, was challenged by the BBC’s Evan Davis on whether its modest series of “breathing space” measures could truly be said to have ended “40 years of neoliberalism”. This line of questioning is becoming a familiar one. Andy Burnham’s ringing declaration of long-term intent is now being regularly deployed by commentators to suggest an emerging gulf between rhetoric and action. Mr Bell’s response was a good one. Recalling how “Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s hugely hollowed out local government [and] tried to emasculate our big cities”, he called the fiscal devolution roadmap unveiled in the budget a step change and a really big deal.From 2028, mayoral strategic authorities wil
The Guardian view on Labour’s fiscal devolution: the future of Burnhamism will play out in municipal England | Editorial
Original reporting
The Guardian: read the full reportFollow this story
Earlier reports and follow-ups on the same developing story.
Related stories
Local devolution decisions rest solely with Scotland and Wales, first ministers tell Burnham
John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth say devolving power further is up to Holyrood and Senedd – not Westminster Scotland and Wales’s first ministers have told Andy Burnham that decisions on local devolution rest solely with their parliaments, in response to the prime minister’s push to extend English-style regional powers across the UK. After Burnham held discussions in Glasgow with John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth about localised employment and reindustrialisation powers, Downing Street characterised the talks as constructive. Continue reading...
Martin Rowson on the UK budget fallout – cartoon
Continue reading...
Treasury accepts role in staff member's death
A Surrey coroner raises concerns over HM Treasury procedures following the death of Chloe Moffat.
'No nation left behind' says Burnham after meeting first ministers in Glasgow
The meeting involved representatives from the UK's four nations to discuss devolving more powers to regions and cities.
How do you bounce back from Liz Truss-level public failure? Don’t be shameless; do show remorse | Gaby Hinsliff
From surgeons to senior civil servants, even the most decent people can make disastrous mistakes. But these gaffes require honesty Gabriel Weston made a mistake at work this summer. It doesn’t define her – she was and is a well-regarded NHS surgeon and author – but it was serious enough, as she explained in an extraordinarily candid series of Instagram and Substack posts this month, to prompt an investigation that left her feeling “ashamed and alone and really quite nervous” . Whatever went wrong in the operating theatre was bad enough to be classed a “never event” (something that should never be able to happen if the process is working properly) and triggered a nagging anxiety that she might somehow do it again, unless she figured out where she had unexpectedly gone wrong. It’s a fascinating insight into a process that most people never have the courage to talk about openly. But it also
First minister says Welsh spending powers takes step forward after Andy Burnham meeting
Rhun ap Iorwerth says new powers for more cash matter of how and when, after meeting.