What role for Whitehall in a devolved system in England?

This event explored how government can make the most of the opportunities that English devolution brings. It examined the role of Whitehall in a devolved system in England and in the implementation phase of the devolution deals that are being agreed between local areas and central government.

Our panel spoke from experience and explored what questions Whitehall needs to ask about the distribution of powers and funding, structures and relationships, as systems such as adult skills are increasingly devolved through devolution deals. This included a presentation of the Making Devolution Deals Work publication, developed by the Institute for Government in partnership with the Gatsby Foundation. 

The event was chaired by Dr Jo Casebourne, Programme Director at the Institute for Government, and included an audience Q&A.

Panellists:

• Tom Walker, Director, Cities and Local Growth Team, DCLG
• Will Garton, Deputy Director, Local Government and Reform, Public Services, HM Treasury
• Dr Sarah Ayres, University of Bristol and chair of Political Studies Association research commission on how informal governance is shaping English devolution
• Joe Randall, Researcher, Institute for Government and co-author of Making Devolution Deals Work

The Institute for Government would like to thank the Gatsby Foundation for supporting this event.

Read our write-up of this event – The role of Whitehall in a more devolved England