The Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, will unveil what she calls the “biggest power shift in a generation” as she addresses leaders in the North of England at the annual Convention of the North in Preston on Friday. The Labour government’s English Devolution programme aims to reorganise local authorities, introduce expanded mayoral powers, and ensure that investment is directed more fairly across the country.
Breaking the ‘hoards of power’
Rayner, who also serves as Local Government Secretary, is expected to criticise the current system, which she argues has centralised decision-making in Westminster, leaving Northern communities with limited influence over their own affairs.
“I know that the North is impatient as anyone for real change – and I am too,” she will say. “The gears of change haven’t always been well-oiled and a decade of decline has seen them rusted.”
Her speech is set to outline a vision for a fundamental restructuring of how power is distributed across England, shifting greater control to local leaders and ensuring decisions that affect Northern communities are made closer to home.
“You’re being resisted by a system that hoards power and investment away from where it needs to be. Too many decisions affecting too many people are made by too few. I’m here to help you break that system and build a fairer one in its place,” she will declare.
Expanding mayoral powers and local control
One of the central pillars of the devolution plan includes granting metro mayors more powers over key areas such as transport, housing, and economic development. The government is also working on a broader framework to allow local authorities to collaborate more effectively, reducing bureaucratic barriers that have long hindered progress.
Rayner is expected to stress that Labour’s approach to devolution will not be merely a cosmetic change but rather a “total rewiring of government power in England.”
“This isn’t about moving the deckchairs on the Titanic – it’s about building a new ship entirely,” a senior government source said ahead of the speech.
The proposed measures will build upon the existing Combined Authority model, which has already seen some success in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and other devolved areas. However, Labour’s plan aims to accelerate the process and provide clearer guidelines on funding and accountability.
Addressing economic disparities
A key element of Rayner’s vision is addressing regional economic inequalities, which have long seen the North lag behind the South in terms of infrastructure, job opportunities, and investment.
As part of the devolution programme, additional funding mechanisms will be explored to boost local economies, potentially through new tax arrangements or the decentralisation of key public services. This move is expected to give local leaders greater flexibility in addressing economic challenges unique to their regions.
Speaking ahead of the conference, a spokesperson for the Northern Powerhouse Partnership welcomed the announcement but urged the government to ensure that funding commitments align with the rhetoric. “We have heard promises of levelling up before, but what Northern communities need is long-term, sustainable investment that allows them to take control of their own future,” they said.
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Encouraging more building in the North
Rayner’s speech will also include plans to accelerate building projects in the North, with a particular focus on affordable housing and commercial development. The government wants to cut through red tape that has slowed down construction, ensuring that infrastructure projects can be delivered at a faster pace.
By granting local authorities more autonomy over planning and land use, Labour hopes to address the housing shortage while also creating new job opportunities in the construction sector.
Political and public reaction
Rayner’s speech is likely to receive a mixed reaction, with supporters of devolution welcoming the move, while critics may question whether the government can deliver on its promises. Some Conservative politicians have previously warned that a rushed devolution process could lead to inefficiencies and governance challenges.
However, Labour sees the English Devolution programme as a defining element of its strategy for economic renewal, particularly in former ‘Red Wall’ constituencies that played a key role in the last general election.
With the North’s political and business leaders gathering in Preston, all eyes will be on whether Rayner’s ambitious vision translates into tangible reforms that bring real benefits to communities long left behind in the UK’s economic landscape.
