Economy First - A pragmatic English Devolution White Paper

The Government is correct to see devolution within England as a priority and at the centre of their strategy on the economy and public services reform. [...] Economic geography should be at the centre of devolution to both the big cities and the shires. [...] A simple system of combined authorities for the big cities and large county unitaries – with the powers of local authorities and combined authorities – for the shires is easier to accomplish than the alternatives and would have the best chance of improving outcomes. [...] The logic is the same as that of the Redcliffe-Maud Report, still widely considered the best proposal for local government reform in England since it was accepted and almost implemented by Harold Wilson in 1969. [...] The closer that local government is to a structure that reflects economic geography, the easier it becomes to pursue economic growth, address the local government funding crisis, and improve other public services.