Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social
Senior Researcher @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Public Services & Devolution, formerly @nao.org.uk analyst. PhD on history of national income accounts. Views are my own.
Starting now - a great @instituteforgovernment.org.uk panel at Labour Party Conference: How should the government implement and enhance devolution across the North of England? (Arena Room - Clyde, ACC)
September 30, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Starting now - a great @instituteforgovernment.org.uk panel at Labour Party Conference: How should the government implement and enhance devolution across the North of England? (Arena Room - Clyde, ACC)
In December 2024, the govt notified councils it would launch a new LGR round and in February 2025 invited leaders in all two-tier council areas and 19 neighbouring unitary authorities to reorganise.
September 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
In December 2024, the govt notified councils it would launch a new LGR round and in February 2025 invited leaders in all two-tier council areas and 19 neighbouring unitary authorities to reorganise.
While we await further election results, here is the current status of political control of the regional mayoralties across England courtesy of @sarahroutley.bsky.social. Further @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis will follow throughout the day..
May 2, 2025 at 9:54 AM
While we await further election results, here is the current status of political control of the regional mayoralties across England courtesy of @sarahroutley.bsky.social. Further @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis will follow throughout the day..
And if that wasn't enough there's a swathe of other elections underway: a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, 14 county councils, 8 unitary authorities, 1 metropolitan district, the Isles of Scilly and 1,274 parish councils
May 1, 2025 at 8:26 AM
And if that wasn't enough there's a swathe of other elections underway: a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, 14 county councils, 8 unitary authorities, 1 metropolitan district, the Isles of Scilly and 1,274 parish councils
Starting now, Andy Burnham is talking at the IfG. Details on how to watch online linked below
April 2, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Starting now, Andy Burnham is talking at the IfG. Details on how to watch online linked below
With an ambitious round of local government reorganisation underway alongside the roll out of devolution across England, in our new @instituteforgov.bsky.social report, in partnership with Grant Thornton, we outline how local leaders can successfully deliver both at the same time
March 3, 2025 at 9:58 AM
With an ambitious round of local government reorganisation underway alongside the roll out of devolution across England, in our new @instituteforgov.bsky.social report, in partnership with Grant Thornton, we outline how local leaders can successfully deliver both at the same time
The six areas listed in the DPP represent almost a sixth of England’s population (15%). Creating new mayoralties in all these places – as well as in Lancashire, as is also planned – will take the proportion of England’s population covered by mayoral devolution to almost 70%.
February 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The six areas listed in the DPP represent almost a sixth of England’s population (15%). Creating new mayoralties in all these places – as well as in Lancashire, as is also planned – will take the proportion of England’s population covered by mayoral devolution to almost 70%.
First, this is a meaningful step toward 'completing the map' of devolution. With Sussex, Hampshire, Essex, East Anglia, Cumbria and Cheshire all due to hold mayoral elections in May 2026. The government has also signalled Lancashire is a priority for mayoral devo
February 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
First, this is a meaningful step toward 'completing the map' of devolution. With Sussex, Hampshire, Essex, East Anglia, Cumbria and Cheshire all due to hold mayoral elections in May 2026. The government has also signalled Lancashire is a priority for mayoral devo
So how can a local area identify whether its proposals are "sensible geographies" and will give them access to the devo priority programme? Councillors will no doubt cross reference the principles outlined in the White Paper...
January 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
So how can a local area identify whether its proposals are "sensible geographies" and will give them access to the devo priority programme? Councillors will no doubt cross reference the principles outlined in the White Paper...
Ministers have outlined clear aims to fill in the devolution map (and are seeking new legal powers to do this). As a result, many areas want to get to the front of the queue to gain access to these powers.
January 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Ministers have outlined clear aims to fill in the devolution map (and are seeking new legal powers to do this). As a result, many areas want to get to the front of the queue to gain access to these powers.
The govt argues that mayors can drive growth, can convene stakeholders to solve local problems and can lead at a regional level. The govt has also made clear non mayoral devolution is only a stepping stone towards future mayoral powers
January 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The govt argues that mayors can drive growth, can convene stakeholders to solve local problems and can lead at a regional level. The govt has also made clear non mayoral devolution is only a stepping stone towards future mayoral powers
The English Devolution White Paper introduced a new priority programme for areas seeking mayoral devolution "at pace" and would see regional mayoral elections in May 2026. So why go for a mayor?
January 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The English Devolution White Paper introduced a new priority programme for areas seeking mayoral devolution "at pace" and would see regional mayoral elections in May 2026. So why go for a mayor?
Yesterday I spoke to ITV meridian news about the implications of the new English Devolution White Paper for the South East - drawing on a recent @instituteforgov.bsky.social report
December 17, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Yesterday I spoke to ITV meridian news about the implications of the new English Devolution White Paper for the South East - drawing on a recent @instituteforgov.bsky.social report
Fortunately we have a neat diagram summarising these rules...
December 10, 2024 at 9:21 AM
Fortunately we have a neat diagram summarising these rules...
E.G. were the govt to continue the previous administration's policy of unitary authorities of 500k or more (see dashed line below) this would be larger than most other single tier authorities in England
November 26, 2024 at 5:32 PM
E.G. were the govt to continue the previous administration's policy of unitary authorities of 500k or more (see dashed line below) this would be larger than most other single tier authorities in England
In England, there are 132 unitary local authorities, covering 71% of the population. These consist of: The City of London and the Isles of Scilly, 32 London boroughs, 36 metropolitan districts, 62 other unitary authorities. There are currently 21 county councils in England...
November 26, 2024 at 5:30 PM
In England, there are 132 unitary local authorities, covering 71% of the population. These consist of: The City of London and the Isles of Scilly, 32 London boroughs, 36 metropolitan districts, 62 other unitary authorities. There are currently 21 county councils in England...
We've argued for three reforms. First, building on proposals from CFGS we've argued for Devolved PACs, drawn from a membership of local councillors (to ensure democratic accountability) with stronger powers and funding.
November 6, 2024 at 2:27 PM
We've argued for three reforms. First, building on proposals from CFGS we've argued for Devolved PACs, drawn from a membership of local councillors (to ensure democratic accountability) with stronger powers and funding.
Delighted to brief UK100 Climate Leadership Academy attendees today on the current state of devolution drawing on the @instituteforgov.bsky.social's devo work programme. Struck by the energy in the room to make a success of devo in local areas and use devo powers to deliver net zero aims
October 13, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Delighted to brief UK100 Climate Leadership Academy attendees today on the current state of devolution drawing on the @instituteforgov.bsky.social's devo work programme. Struck by the energy in the room to make a success of devo in local areas and use devo powers to deliver net zero aims
The region with the furthest to go is the South East (pop 9.4m and £336.2bn economy). Though last week the govt said it was 'minded to progress' a non mayoral devolution deal in Surrey, the region lacks any operational devolution deals
September 25, 2024 at 8:20 AM
The region with the furthest to go is the South East (pop 9.4m and £336.2bn economy). Though last week the govt said it was 'minded to progress' a non mayoral devolution deal in Surrey, the region lacks any operational devolution deals
The North West - with only two mayoral combined authorities (Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester) 60% of the population lack an operational devolution deal. Though, last week the govt. reduced this figure by signing off a non-mayoral devo deal for Lancashire
September 23, 2024 at 2:07 PM
The North West - with only two mayoral combined authorities (Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester) 60% of the population lack an operational devolution deal. Though, last week the govt. reduced this figure by signing off a non-mayoral devo deal for Lancashire
Following an announcement last week, mayors in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and York & North Yorkshire will, from 2025, have a new mayoral colleague in Hull & East Yorkshire. This will complete the devolution map for Yorkshire and the Humber...
September 23, 2024 at 2:03 PM
Following an announcement last week, mayors in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and York & North Yorkshire will, from 2025, have a new mayoral colleague in Hull & East Yorkshire. This will complete the devolution map for Yorkshire and the Humber...
First, the devolution map in the North East region is complete with two operational devolution deals - the Tees Valley and North East Combined Authorities. Two mayoral authorities that fully cover the region. Expect deeper powers for these areas.
September 23, 2024 at 2:01 PM
First, the devolution map in the North East region is complete with two operational devolution deals - the Tees Valley and North East Combined Authorities. Two mayoral authorities that fully cover the region. Expect deeper powers for these areas.
We summarise these alternative approaches as ‘Option 1’ and ‘Option 2’ – although this isn't a binary choice. Ministerial preferences for different factors in different areas could see a mix of smaller and larger deals in the final map
September 20, 2024 at 8:06 AM
We summarise these alternative approaches as ‘Option 1’ and ‘Option 2’ – although this isn't a binary choice. Ministerial preferences for different factors in different areas could see a mix of smaller and larger deals in the final map
and a struggle to recruit. Social worker vacancies increased to 7,900 jobs (or 20% of the available number of jobs) - the highest on record and increasing the reliance on agency workers (with 6,800agency social workers in post in 2022/23 up 13.4% on the past year)
October 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM
and a struggle to recruit. Social worker vacancies increased to 7,900 jobs (or 20% of the available number of jobs) - the highest on record and increasing the reliance on agency workers (with 6,800agency social workers in post in 2022/23 up 13.4% on the past year)
Finally, workforce. The number of children's social workers fell in the past year down 2.7% in 2022/23. Two factors driving this: the highest number of leavers since 2013/14 - 5,400 (or 17.1% of the workforce)...
October 30, 2023 at 12:57 PM
Finally, workforce. The number of children's social workers fell in the past year down 2.7% in 2022/23. Two factors driving this: the highest number of leavers since 2013/14 - 5,400 (or 17.1% of the workforce)...