Call for Evidence

Devolution has become an established part of the UK constitutional architecture, but while legislative and executive devolution has been established and evolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there has been no equivalent devolution in England, creating asymmetry in the UK governance arrangements.  Since 2014, there have been a number of initiatives to “devolve” power within England: ten combined authorities have now successfully negotiated bespoke “devolution” deals, but this has only added to the complexity of English local government. The Government has committed to publishing an English Devolution White Paper in 2020, setting out its “plans for full devolution across England”. 

Ahead of the White Paper, the Committee invites evidence in response to the following questions?

1. Should there be comprehensive reform of the English devolution and local government system?

2. What aims and principles should underpin devolution in England?

3. Should devolution in England use the reserved powers to bring it in line with devolution in the rest of the UK?

4. To what extent should there be consistency in devolved and local governance within England, and to what extent is asymmetry necessary?

5. What is the purpose of current the “devolution” deals and mechanisms? Are these purposes being achieved?

6. How should decisions on English devolution be agreed?

7. How should the interests of different parts or regions of England be better represented to central government and in intergovernmental arrangements as well as in Parliament?

8. Is there a public demand for such structures/measures?a. On what basis should the form, geography and extent of devolved regions or areas be determined, and what should be the role of culture and identity?

If you wish to discuss issues relating to the inquiry or submitting evidence, please contact Dr Patrick Thomas. Email: thomaspb@parliament.uk Tel: 020 7219 6923.