Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Sarah Marie Hall and Laura Pottinger Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Ethnicity Posted:
Next May, for the first time, Greater Manchester will go to the polls to vote for a Mayor who will oversee key areas including housing, transport and policing, as well as controlling the recently-devolved £6bn health and social care budget. But will young people’s voices be heard and what is being done to engage them? […]
By Graham Haughton Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Devolving power to our cities and regions has been heralded as a ‘new era’ and an exciting opportunity for positive change. Manchester has led the way in England, becoming the first region to take control of its health and social care budget on April 1st. But, asks Graham Haughton, is there a ‘dark side’ to […]
By Abigail Gilmore Filed Under: Devo, Urban Posted:
Abi Gilmore looks at why policy-making for the arts and culture is important when considering the implementation and impact of the devolution agenda in Greater Manchester. Cultural policy is often an afterthought, frequently side-lined by other policy debates on health, housing and crime reduction. When decision-making for the arts makes the news, it is usually […]
Leeds was once lauded as an innovator in respect of city-regional governance. But, argues Iain Deas, while recent accounts have emphasised local disagreement about the geography of devolution deals, it is possible to interpret Yorkshire’s experience in a more positive light. Recent media coverage of devolution deals in Yorkshire has highlighted conflict around rival proposals […]
By Francesca Gains Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
There are democratic gains to be made from the election of a Greater Manchester mayor, argues Francesca Gains – but only if the right checks and balances are built in. On 5 May vast swathes of the country will go to the polls. Voters will elect a new mayor and assembly members in Greater London, […]
By Helen McKenna Filed Under: Devo, Featured Posted:
Today, Greater Manchester becomes the first region in England to be given new powers in the devolution of health and social care services from national government to regional decision-makers. But what makes this region’s devolution project so exciting is that its ambitions go way beyond the integration of health and social care, says Helen McKenna. […]
By Su Maddock Filed Under: Devo, Featured Posted:
If the ‘Devo Manc’ experiment is to work, local leaders and the staff who deliver services must be given the power and flexibility to innovate, says Su Maddock. Many are sceptical about devolution, yet city leaders are confident that with greater control and freedoms they can improve their cities and local economies. The Core Cities […]
By David Walker Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
DevoManc’s control of health is at the centre of the government’s localism policy – but the policy is a sham, argues David Walker. Lack of attention Since the ‘historic day’ a year ago when the health secretary stood alongside the chancellor in signing the Greater Manchester health devolution deal, Jeremy Hunt has not – it’s fair to […]
By Diane Coyle Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
The handing over of the health budget to Greater Manchester authorities carries both risk and opportunity says Diane Coyle, who argues that delivering on data and analysis will be key for policymakers. The risk is obvious: as with the entire Devo Manc process, those concerned have to make it work. They have to spend […]
By Stephen Hincks, Iain Deas, Kevin Ward and Graham Haughton Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Urban Posted:
The emergence of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to deliver ‘Devo Manc’ builds on a long history of effective cooperation between ten local authorities. Not all English cities and regions share such a history. Has Manchester become the template for English sub-national governance, and if so, should we be worried, ask Kevin Ward and […]