ResPublica: give Manchester a devo-max deal

15 Sep 14
Greater Manchester should be given full control of all public spending across the city region as part of a new devolution settlement for England, a report by the ResPublica think-tank has said today.

By Richard Johnstone | 15 September 2014

Greater Manchester should be given full control of all public spending across the city region as part of a new devolution settlement for England, a report by the ResPublica think-tank has said today.

Today’s Devo Max ­– Devo Manc report highlighted that there was a need for place-based public service agreements, with all public spending in the city brought under the control of Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

This should be agreed under a new governance structure that includes a local board that keeps relevant secretaries of state involved in services, as well as a new elected assembly for the region led by a Mayor of Manchester

Under the plans, the combined authority should be given legal powers to join up local public services, eliminating duplication and encouraging multi-agency initiatives.

A devolution settlement should also include the start if a process to give the city region more power over income tax, as well as property taxes.

ResPublica director Phillip Blond said such drastic action was needed to stop England’s cities ‘sliding into decline’.

‘Financial freedom must come to Greater Manchester,’ he said. ‘These plans outlined in today’s report, will allow it to turn its fortunes around, lifting the population out of the doldrums.’

Lord Peter Smith, chair of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, welcomed that the report. He said it ‘makes a case for total devolution to city regions on a scale that recognises the game-changing potential to both reduce public spending and boost growth’.
He added: ‘This full devolution model echoes our ambition, and we welcome ResPublica’s view that Greater Manchester would be uniquely placed to pioneer it.’


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