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RESEARCH BRIEFING
22 Jul 2026

Devolution is no silver bullet for UK growth

Explore the complexities of devolution in the UK and its potential impact on regional growth and governance. Discover insights on effective strategies.

Devolution is central to the Burnham government’s economic strategy, but it alone will not enhance growth in the short to medium term. The potential long-term benefits hinge on the specific powers devolved and the fiscal arrangements accompanying them.

While local policymakers may better understand regional challenges, the correlation between decentralisation and improved national growth remains mixed. The UK’s highly centralised economy, with London and the South East dominating national output, underscores the need for effective local governance to address regional disparities. But the report highlights that simply redistributing existing spending or fairly piecemeal devolution of powers will not bolster national growth. Without substantial fiscal loosening or increased investment in underperforming regions, the anticipated economic uplift may not materialise.

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