Devolution and the UK Economy

The Scottish Referendum in September 2014 had significant and far-reaching consequences for the political settlement of the United Kingdom. The pressure for more fiscal devolution and other economic powers in the devolved nations has increased demands for greater economic decentralisation in the regions and sub-regions of England. The support for a Northern Economic Powerhouse (centred on Manchester) by the Chancellor, George Osborne, is just one such example. This edited collection constructs an analytical narrative that draws on the evidence of the Scottish experience and expert testimony from the Smith Commission and other policy advisors. Drawing on ideas from fiscal federalism and agglomeration economics, the contributors examine the reorganisation and restructuring of economic territories within the UK. The chapter will also highlight the historical context for the current devolution debates, which are largely uninformed and ignore previous attempts at regional growth incentives in the UK since the Victorian era.