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English regions demand freedom from London at eve of Scottish independence referendum
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WHATEVER the outcome of next Thursday's historic referendum on Scottish independence, the battle for devolution has sparked a call for greater regional powers on the English side of Hadrian's Wall.
England's eight biggest cities joined forces in London on Friday to call on Westminster to grant more powers to the regions so they too can start benefiting from the devolved policy Scotland already sees.
Leading the clarion call is Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Core Cities Cabinet who is also political leader of Manchester City Council. He wants greater fiscal and decision-making powers for the English city regions.
Launching their campaign at a national conference in London on Friday, he said: "With the prospect of devolution looming for Scotland and Wales irrespective of the outcome of the Scottish referendum, decentralisation within England is now one of the biggest single economic issues facing the Government."
New research unveiled at today's conference highlights how the case for greater regional control is compelling given the eight English Core Cities and their regions account for 27 percent of the entire English economic output.
The research report, 'Evolving Cities' recalls how the big English core cities, were once global drivers of trade, commerce and industry, sharing investment opportunities and wealth creation with London more equally. With the decline of many regional industries and manufacturing in post-war Britain, the commerciality of the regional cities has declined too, and the economy has become imbalanced towards London and the South East.
Sir Albert Bore, political leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "Independent forecasts demonstrate that the Core Cities have the potential to deliver an additional 1.16 million jobs and 222 billion pounds (361 billion U.S. dollars) into the national economy by 2030."
As demand for political and fiscal devolution from London into the regions intensifies, the Core City leaders all agree that only by working together can the regions plan for and sustain balanced economic growth and explore new opportunities to attract investment both from within Britain and abroad.
Iain Jenkinson, a senior executive property consultants GVA, advisers to the Core Cities Group, said: "The Core Cities Project collectively represents the first chance in a generation for regional cities to work together to actively shape their own future; the powers they currently have are only a starting point."
Ironically the 'Big Eight' English cities recently allowed a ninth city to join their ranks, Glasgow. Depending on what happens in less than a week their latest recruit could find itself in a foreign country if Scotland votes yes.
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