Greater Manchester Agreement
The Greater Manchester Agreement: A New Era of Devolution?
The Greater Manchester Agreement has been heralded as a new era of devolution in the UK. The agreement, signed in November 2014, gives Greater Manchester unprecedented powers over transport, housing, planning and skills. With the region representing the economic powerhouse of the north of England, the move has been seen as a significant step towards a more decentralised UK. But what does the agreement actually entail, and why is it so important?
The Greater Manchester Agreement is a landmark deal that sees Greater Manchester take control of its own destiny. The deal builds on the success of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which was set up in 2011 to bring together the region`s ten local authorities in a bid to boost the local economy. Now, with the agreement in place, Greater Manchester has been granted new powers to take charge of its own affairs, including:
– The ability to set its own transport budgets and priorities
– The power to manage and co-ordinate local bus services
– Control over how to use money raised from business rates
– Greater control over planning and housing policy
– The power to take over responsibility for skills and training
The agreement is a significant milestone in the devolution of powers from central government to the regions. With Greater Manchester representing one of the most prosperous regions outside of London, the move has been seen as a way of redressing the balance between the capital and the regions, by giving local authorities the power to drive their own economic growth and development.
But it`s not just about devolving power away from London. The Greater Manchester Agreement is also about building a more sustainable and resilient economy in the region. By taking control of critical infrastructure like transport and housing, Greater Manchester can tailor its policies to meet the specific needs of its residents and businesses. This will help to create a more responsive and dynamic economy, that is better able to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges.
Critics of the agreement argue that it will lead to a “postcode lottery” of services across the country, as regions compete against each other for investment and resources. However, proponents of the agreement point out that this is precisely the point. By empowering regions to take control of their own affairs, there is the potential for a more diverse and innovative approach to public policy, with new ideas and approaches being tested and refined at the local level.
Overall, the Greater Manchester Agreement marks an important step forward for the UK. By granting greater powers to the regions, we are creating a more dynamic, responsive and sustainable economy that is better able to meet the needs of its citizens. With other regions looking to follow the example set by Greater Manchester, it is clear that this is just the beginning of a new era of devolution in the UK.