Amman Boughan, CEO at Pagabo Group, said: “As always, there were several headline announcements in the Autumn Budget that many will now want to understand the detail behind. One such focus was fiscal devolution, which was a welcome inclusion given its potential to drive local growth and prosperity. That said, the next steps are critical.
“While directing money towards mayors and local areas is undoubtedly going to accelerate regional growth ambitions, those ambitions will only be fully realised if there is proper attention on the ‘how’. That means there needs to be equal attention given to how exactly money is spent, how best value is delivered, and how investment quickly benefits local people and businesses without delays.
“Ultimately, the impact needs to be felt by people on the ground, which means we have to identify what matters and is needed most in any given area – down to a neighbourhood level. As the Chancellor’s support for small businesses makes clear, local high streets and their workforce are the backbone of communities – which both help shape the places we call home. As the focus on ‘good growth in every postcode’ continues from central government, delivery of this has to remain rooted in local need – supported by this fiscal devolution mechanism. Local needs analysis will be the driving force to getting this right, marking a difference between revolutionary policy and fragmented policy – and making sure that impact in communities is positive and transformational.”
Discover our frameworks
Subscribe to our mailing list, to keep up to date with Pagabo news
Related articles
Planning and infrastructure bill becomes law: Pagabo’s infrastructure reaction
