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A Whitehall perspective on decentralisation in England’s emerging territories

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  • Sarah Ayres
  • Graham Pearce

Abstract

Decentralisation is a key thread running through current UK policy making. The Coalition Government has abolished New Labour’s regional legacy in favour of a new set of strategies around growth and development that has tapped into the localist agenda. Drawing on a series of recent interviews conducted with civil servants, this article explores government initiatives aimed at enhancing local autonomy in England and provides new empirical insights into decentralisation from a Whitehall perspective. It examines departmental aspirations for decentralised structures and Whitehall perceptions of the capacity of local arrangements to successfully manage territorial development in an era of austerity. The article concludes that, in the fields of economic development, planning and transport, there are signs of enhanced local policy and fiscal autonomy. However, there are different levels of enthusiasm for decentralisation across and within Whitehall departments that continue to undermine a more cohesive approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Ayres & Graham Pearce, 2013. "A Whitehall perspective on decentralisation in England’s emerging territories," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 28(7-8), pages 801-816, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:loceco:v:28:y:2013:i:7-8:p:801-816
    DOI: 10.1177/0269094213500631
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Graham Haughton & Phil Allmendinger, 2013. "Spatial Planning and the New Localism," Planning Practice & Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 1-5, February.
    2. Faguet, Jean-Paul, 2014. "Decentralization and Governance," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 2-13.
    3. Lee Pugalis & Alan Townsend, 2013. "Rescaling of Planning and Its Interface with Economic Development," Planning Practice & Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 104-121, February.
    4. Linda Lobao & Ron Martin & Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, 2009. "Editorial: Rescaling the state: new modes of institutional--territorial organization," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 2(1), pages 3-12.
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