Devolution and subsidiarity

Abstract

There has been a global trend towards devolution over recent years, with data showing that subnational authority has deepened in most countries around the world (Hooghe et al, 2023). The United Kingdom, however, remains a stark exception with an exceptionally centralised system of governance. This review examines some key issues relating to the prospect for greater fiscal devolution in the UK, including 1) the rationale for the devolution of funding, 2) the challenges devolution of funding pose for institutional capacity and capability in terms of both strategy and delivery, and 3) how English devolution has evolved and the implications for central-local relations. This report is for the Improving Public Funding Allocations to Reduce Geographical Inequalities project funded by the ESRC. The project brings together a highly experienced interdisciplinary team from the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol, De Montfort, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth and Sheffield, together with the National Centre for Social Research and Metro Dynamics