- England's regional devolution and fiscal power expansion
- Devolution plan outlines strategic authority establishment in England, surrendering power from Westminster to local leaders.
Hertfordshire secures enhanced devolution deal in England
What happened
Hertfordshire secured an enhanced devolution deal on October 29, 2026. This move is part of a broader plan in England to devolve greater powers from Westminster to local leaders. The plan includes commitments to devolve some income tax receipts to mayors of strategic authorities by 2028.
From aol.co.uk
Why it matters
The enhanced powers allow local authorities to gain control over local revenue streams, including a commitment to giving mayors 100% of their business rates income by the end of the decade. Additionally, the new powers include the ability to tax visitors through an overnight visitors levy.
A devolution plan is underway in England that outlines the establishment of strategic authorities, transferring power from Westminster to local leaders.
From aol.co.uk
Who's involved
- HertfordshireThe county that secured the enhanced devolution deal
- EnglandThe geopolitical state where the devolution is taking place
- WestminsterThe central government body from which fiscal power is being transferred
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- HertfordshireSpeculative
Hertfordshire could see increased local revenue from business rates and a new overnight visitors levy.
Possible ripples
Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.- Enhanced devolution deals may reinforce Andy Burnham's missionEnhanced devolution deals may reinforce Andy Burnham's mission for greater local controlLikely
- Devolution deals may reduce central government's fiscal control in EnglandCentral government's fiscal and regulatory control over local policy is likely to diminish.Likely
- Hertfordshire may gain new powers from enhanced devolution dealHertfordshire County Council may gain new fiscal and regulatory powers from devolutionPossible
- Devolution deals may increase political responsibility for Keir StarmerDevolution deals may increase political responsibility for Keir StarmerPossible
- Devolution deals may require House of Commons legislative adaptationDevolution deals may require the House of Commons to adapt legislative oversightPossible
Keep exploring
Part of
Devolution plan outlines strategic authority establishment in England, surrendering power from Westminster to local leaders.Also in this story
- Government ambition for strategic authorities in England.
- Cornwall is being used as an early test case for devolution plans affecting governance in England.
- Andy Burnham and John Healey are pushing for a major transfer of economic power from the Treasury to a new office in northern England.
- Devolution plans are being developed to unite county councils in Wiltshire, Dorset, and Somerset.
Within England's regional devolution and fiscal power expansion
The entities involved
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England
country in north-west Europe, part of the United Kingdom
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Hertfordshire
non-metropolitan and ceremonial county in England
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