The government has set out its next steps for UK devolution, committing to align public service boundaries across England.
On Friday, the Cabinet Office published a policy paper titled ‘Rewiring the State’, pledging that all strategic authorities will be established by the end of 2028, with public service boundaries fully standardised by the end of this parliament. The Cabinet states: “Good growth requires a fundamental rewiring of the way our country works, surrendering power that for too long has been held in Westminster and Whitehall, and returning it to people and the places where they live, work and invest.”
The paper outlines plans to integrate local services into a single coherent system. This will be achieved by aligning regional police forces, fire and rescue services, and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) with the boundaries of strategic authorities. This is designed to give mayors the flexibility and accountability needed to join up health, employment, education, and local support services and follows recent ICB boundary changes and mergers in April.
Reacting to the announcement, David Finch, interim director of health and inequalities at the Health Foundation, commented: “People’s health is influenced by many factors, including decent housing, good jobs and reliable transport, and these can be very different depending on where you live. That’s why it makes sense to give local areas greater power to design solutions that reflect their community’s needs.”
Additionally, the government announced that mayoral authorities are to retain a share of local income tax from 2028 and revealed four new strategic authority areas: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the East Midlands, the West of England, and York and North Yorkshire. Finally, it also pledged a reform programme to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of local councils.
Anthony Breach, director of policy and research at Centre for Cities, welcomed the move: “Today’s set of announcements amount to the most significant rebalancing of power from Whitehall to local areas in a generation. Starting with mayors, in places where the potential economic gains are greatest, is the right move. It marks the next, vital chapter in the devolution agenda.”
