Andy Burnham urged to accelerate devolution to avoid a two‑tier England

The Institute for Public Policy Research North (IPPR North) has warned that the incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, must act quickly to expand devolution in England or risk cementing a “two‑tier England” where opportunities depend on geography. The think‑tank argues that more than a quarter of the English population remains outside Mayoral Strategic Authorities and calls for completing the devolution map by the end of the parliament, granting fiscal powers to local mayors, and embedding “hyper‑local” participatory governance. “We know the incoming PM has signalled his ambition for devolution in England, but we must move beyond incrementalism, or his efforts could be in vain,” said research fellow Ryan Swift.

A letter published in The Spectator (Australia) echoed the devolution debate, arguing that only business‑focused devolution – like the models in Manchester and Teesside – can spur growth, while devolving power to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd has, in the writer’s view, stifled the economy. The author expressed doubt that Burnham will take the radical step of shifting power from national institutions to city‑ and region‑level bodies.