The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.
The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.
The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.

Our vision

Devolution revolution

This paper outlines a roadmap for future devolution, including expanding devolution in nations and establishing new devolution deals in England.

A pink strip at the top of the paper with the words: "Centre Think Tank ISSN 2634-4696". The paper title is "Devolution revolution: Devolving powers to the nations and regions of the UK". Below this is a light purple background with a map of the UK with some regions and nations in darker tones of Purple. Below is the text: "Briefing paper. By Torrin Wilkins, May 29th 2022. At the bottom is a white strip with the Centre Think Tank logo in pink beneath.

Devolution revolution, devolving powers to the nations and regions of the UK

This paper aims to set out a roadmap for the future of devolution. It covers both the expansion of devolution in our nations alongside new devolution deals for areas of England which do not yet have large-scale devolution.
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Quick summary

  • The devolution settlement that exists within the UK is not fit for purpose, and power is unevenly distributed across the UK. Devolved governments also have wide-ranging powers over public services without adequate funding.
  • Polling co-commissioned by Centre Think Tank and Millbank Think Tank by Deltapoll shows there is widespread support for devolution. The poll also shows support for further devolution of powers in England and Scotland, along with strong levels of support in Wales.
  • This paper proposes expanding the existing devolution settlement in areas including broadcasting, justice, social security, energy, and transport. These new powers will expand the role of devolved parliaments and assemblies and will rebalance the current devolution settlement.
  • It also proposes a new system for funding from Westminster which will give devolved governments money according to the needs of their area. This will help to rebalance spending in the UK, giving real meaning to the levelling up agenda.

View the data

Polling a devolution revolution

See our interactive page with the data from our paper, interactive graphs, and polling data.

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Author

Torrin Wilkins

Director and Founder

Torrin is the Founder and Director of Centre Think Tank. His experience includes authoring over a dozen papers and over one hundred policies. His policies have been backed by an All-Party Parliamentary Group of over 260 MPs and included in various party manifestos. He has appeared in a wide range of print and broadcast media and previously had a weekly column for a national publication. He has a degree in Political Studies from Aberystwyth University.

Foreword

Lord Kinnock

Former Leader of the Opposition and Labour Leader

Neil Kinnock was the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition for eight years. He was also Vice-President of the European Commission and a Member of Parliament. Neil currently sits in the House of Lords.

Reaserchers and editors

Joe Gellman

Joe was our Head of Research and now works as a Policy Analyst at De Havilland. He previously worked at SC Partners as a Trainee Partner and holds a Masters in Philosophy from Durham University.

Jack Meredith

Chair for Wales

Jack writes on politics and policy for the Fabians, Nation.Cymru, and Lib Dem Voice. He holds a first-class honours degree in Business Management and is the campaigns chair for the Swansea and Gower Liberal Democrats.

Jasneet Samrai

Deputy Director, External Affairs and Head of Pastoral Care

Jasneet works at the Royal College of Physicians as Public Affairs and Campaigns Advisor and was previously a Policy and Influencing Assistant at Breast Cancer Now and a Deputy store Manager at Oxfam. They also worked as a campaign organiser, helping to elect three MEPs.

Coverage

The word "Mirror" in a red box, and under this the word "EXCLUSIVE" in a turquoise box.

EXCLUSIVE: Neil Kinnock warns Tory ‘levelling-up’ plan ‘more like flattening down’ in brutal attack

"The former Labour leader accused the Conservatives of failing the UK’s nations and regions in a report from Centre Think Tank demanding more devolution."
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The word "Mirror" in a red box, and under this the word "EXCLUSIVE" in a turquoise box.

EXCLUSIVE: Neil Kinnock warns Tory ‘levelling-up’ plan ‘more like flattening down’ in brutal attack

"The former Labour leader accused the Conservatives of failing the UK’s nations and regions in a report from Centre Think Tank demanding more devolution."
Read More

Polling partner

The word "Millbank" in black.

Millbank Think Tank

Millbank is a not-for-profit, cross-party, independent, UK think tank. They make sure better policy is being made, for those it's made for.
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The word "Millbank" in black.

Millbank Think Tank

Millbank is a not-for-profit, cross-party, independent, UK think tank. They make sure better policy is being made, for those it's made for.
Read More