Working to make government more effective

Keir Starmer meeting First Minister of Scotland John Swinney at Bute House, Edinburgh, during the PM's tour of the UK following Labour's victory in the 2024 general election

Devolution

We examine the effectiveness of devolution across the UK and the relationships between national and devolved government.

Over the past two decades, an array of powers and funding have been transferred from Whitehall and Westminster to the devolved administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, to the mayor of London and – more recently – to metro mayors in eleven English regions.

Our research examines the impact and performance of devolved institutions in all parts of the UK. We also consider the state of the union and how the different tiers of government could and should work together. Our events bring together national, devolved and local decision makers to consider these issues. And our analysis develops innovative ways that devolution could be made to work more effectively.

How the government can extend devolution to the whole of England

Labour has come to power committed to widening devolution. Our report sets out how the government should take these decisions and what the options are in each part of England.

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How the next government should complete the job of English devolution

The English devolution agenda needs a reset. The next government must extend devolution to 85% of England to deliver meaningful and balanced economic growth.

Read the report
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