Matthew Fright

Matthew Fright

@matthewfright.bsky.social

Associate director - devolution @instituteforgovernment.org.uk formerly @nao.org.uk analyst. PhD on history of national income accounts. Views are my own.

1.1K followers252 following396 posts

Matthew Fright reposted

Thomas Pope
@tompope.bsky.social

My latest below previews the fiscal devo roadmap. This could be a radical change in how mayors operate, and will tell us a lot about the government's broader approach to devolution My blog lays out what the roadmap should do

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Tomorrow, alongside his budget, John Healey will unveil a new fiscal devolution roadmap. The roadmap will reveal how radical the Burnham government intends to be on devolution. Our chief economist @tompope.bsky.social sets out his key tests www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fisc...

instituteforgovernment.org.ukWhat should be in the fiscal devolution roadmap? | Institute for GovernmentThe fiscal devolution roadmap will set out changes to how mayors raise and spend money.

Matthew Fright reposted

Cassia Rowland
@cassiarowland.bsky.social

NEW REPORT: Under Keir Starmer, England and Wales’s failing criminal justice services made tentative steps towards improvement. But the new government has already put this fragile progress at risk and real improvement requires more difficult political choices. 🧵

instituteforgovernment.org.ukPerformance Tracker 2026: Criminal justice system | Institute for GovernmentThe Starmer government made fragile progress on criminal justice, but sustaining this requires further action and difficult political choices.

Matthew Fright reposted

Amber Dellar
@amberdellar.bsky.social

NEW: Plans to reduce EHCPs look optimistic and Burnham's public service reforms still need a plan for schools In our first IfG Performance Tracker chapter, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, we look at how the government is performing on its schools agenda [1/9]

instituteforgovernment.org.ukPerformance Tracker 2026: Schools | Institute for GovernmentThe government must better measure success across its school priorities and set out a clear long-term vision for the structure of the school system.
Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

Following Angela Rayner's decision to fully review her predecessor’s LGR decisions, today at 12.30, the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, in partnership with @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social, has brought together a great panel to discuss how this came about and what happens next. Sign up details below.

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk

EVENT | Angela Rayner has put plans to restructure local government on hold. So what went wrong and what happens next? We'll now discuss on Monday 14 September, 12:30, with Amanda Askham @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social, @matthewfright.bsky.social, Heather Jameson from The MJ and @akashpaun.bsky.social

Matthew Fright reposted

Institute for Government
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Local government reorganisation credibility is on the line After launching a full review of her predecessor’s LGR decisions following new legal advice, Angela Rayner must now act to rebuild trust in the process, argues @matthewfright.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/loca...

instituteforgovernment.org.ukLocal government reorganisation credibility is on the line | Institute for GovernmentLocal authorities need a clear delivery timetable following the LGR process review.

Matthew Fright reposted

Harriet Shaw
@shawharriet.bsky.social

Yesterday Burnham made his first commons appearance as PM. Much of it echoed familiar themes, but there was one point I thought worth digging into: his commitment to extending devo and the role local MP's could play in making it happen. 🧵

Matthew Fright reposted

Alex Thomas
@alexgathomas.bsky.social

Interesting - with contribution from @drbenpaxton.bsky.social

Lucy Fisher@lucyfisher.ft.com

EXC: UK govt is “stripping back” onerous public procurement rules in pro-growth shake up of system, Louise Haigh tells FT Overhaul will make job creation/skills development the only ‘social value’ requirement for biz competing for Whitehall contracts worth £90bn annually www.ft.com/content/9878...

ft.comUK to strip back procurement rules to focus on job creation, says Louise HaighBurnham’s de facto deputy PM says requirements for businesses vying for Whitehall contracts will be streamlined

Matthew Fright reposted

Thomas Pope
@tompope.bsky.social

There's been an interesting debate about whether mayors could (and should) be able to provide rebates with assigned revenue. This from @jacktshaw.bsky.social is the best summary I've seen of the current legal position jackshaw.substack.com/p/can-and-sh... Some thoughts on the merits 🧵1/12

jackshaw.substack.comCan — and should — mayors be allowed to offer tax rebates?debates over tax rebates are fiscal policy, but also the political differences that greater devolution will create — and what they mean for the relationship between Whitehall and strategic authorities

Matthew Fright reposted

Institute for Government
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Andy Burnham’s devolution announcement is a strong start on his priority agenda Changes on tax, new powers and institutions show Burnham means business, says @tompope.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...

instituteforgovernment.org.ukAndy Burnham’s devolution announcement is a strong start on his priority agenda | Institute for GovernmentChanges on tax, new powers and institutions show Burnham means business.

Matthew Fright reposted

Thomas Pope
@tompope.bsky.social

And here is my piece for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk elaborating a bit on these initial reflections www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...

instituteforgovernment.org.ukAndy Burnham’s devolution announcement is a strong start on his priority agenda | Institute for GovernmentChanges on tax, new powers and institutions show Burnham means business.
Thomas Pope@tompope.bsky.social

Some thoughts on the government's devo announcement today: Overall, this is a great start on the govt's flagship agenda 1/

gov.ukRewiring the State – Cabinet Statement (HTML)

Matthew Fright reposted

Ben Paxton
@drbenpaxton.bsky.social

Really great it looks like government is going further on devolving employment support. It's a big opportunity to join-up services, tailor support locally, improve engagement and innovate. Flexible funding will be key to this (and should help areas streamline the current patchwork of programmes)

Stuart Hoddinott@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social

Details on some of the first services they intend to devolve power for, including employment support. A big win for @drbenpaxton.bsky.social and @martha-ford.bsky.social who recommended exactly that in their recent paper on the topic www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

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Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

And final thought, this feels like more of a return to the devolution revolution agenda first seen in 2024. But bigger and bolder. Will be interesting to see how the No.10 North works to drive this change in the weeks and months ahead.

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Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

The statement concludes with a smaller section on the next steps but still some meaningful next steps. Writing to all leaders without devo asking their preference. As we saw with the call for the devolution priority programme in 2024 there was quite high demand at the time.

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

But how will changing political leadership at the local level change that? And if earlier rounds are anything to go by, local leaders will disagree on the next step. A lack of ability to compel change could prove tricky.

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Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

A lot in these paras - ambition of a complete devo map by 2028. If achieved this can help transfer powers from Whitehall and will strengthen the devolution by default approach suggested further down. The tone, again, is key inviting areas to state preference.

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

In practice local leaders could still act as a roadblock, but with increasing devo coverage it could be increasingly difficult for local leaders to explain why they don't want more powers and funding for their local communities. Will that be enough to secure a complete map?

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Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

Section c. Developing strong local institutions - I think this is a bold section. As I posted earlier today, rollout of powers and funding will be uneven with an incomplete map and there obstacles ahead bsky.app/profile/matt...

Matthew Fright@matthewfright.bsky.social

A big devolution day with press reports suggesting fiscal devolution, greater powers and a new 'local first' principle trailed in the papers. But for Andy Burnham to truly spread 'good growth in every postcode' requires a complete English devolution map 🧵

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Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

The statement then focuses on England - as @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social highlights some really interesting announcements for service reform, how they are funded and operate bsky.app/profile/stua...

Stuart Hoddinott@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social

This is a genuinely exciting announcement about Burnham's intention for public service reform There are some potentially massive changes to the way that services are funded and operate A few things that jumped out at me 👇 www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.ukRewiring the State – Cabinet Statement (HTML)
Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

Local government organisation is a devolved competence so Burnham must collaborate if subnational devolution is to be achieved outside England. Appetite is limited but last Nov John Swinney FM of Scotland proposed a legal basis to the Glasgow city region - a model not too far from the FSA model.

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

Dual delivery of devolution and LGR is possible, but also complex, local areas and central government have to be clear-eyed about the challenges and opportunities this poses. We outlined some of them here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

instituteforgovernment.org.ukHow can areas successfully reorganise local government and implement devolution at the same time? | Institute for GovernmentHow local leaders and central government can navigate the challenges of 'dual delivery'.
Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

A big devolution day with press reports suggesting fiscal devolution, greater powers and a new 'local first' principle trailed in the papers. But for Andy Burnham to truly spread 'good growth in every postcode' requires a complete English devolution map 🧵

View full thread
Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

A big devolution day with press reports suggesting fiscal devolution, greater powers and a new 'local first' principle trailed in the papers. But for Andy Burnham to truly spread 'good growth in every postcode' requires a complete English devolution map 🧵

View full thread
Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

A big devolution day with press reports suggesting fiscal devolution, greater powers and a new 'local first' principle trailed in the papers. But for Andy Burnham to truly spread 'good growth in every postcode' requires a complete English devolution map 🧵

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Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

But filling in the map isn't an easy task. 1. Under current rules each upper tier local authority in effect acts as a veto player to establish mayoralties - and previous ministers failed to secure the backing of the House of Lords for powers to compel areas to adopt a mayor.

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

2. ...and then there is local government reogrganisation. . In areas undergoing LGR, this is their biggest strategic focus. Bandwidth is limited. The councils become introspective. New unitaries not expected to be up and running until 2028 (everywhere other than Surrey).

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

A big devolution day with press reports suggesting fiscal devolution, greater powers and a new 'local first' principle trailed in the papers. But for Andy Burnham to truly spread 'good growth in every postcode' requires a complete English devolution map 🧵

View full thread
Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

And until we have full coverage Whitehall will have to retain some responsibility for powers better located at a local level e.g. over skills and transport. Freed up of this - central govt can focus on strategic issues, set standards, allocate resources and exercise system oversight.

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

some say "but not everywhere is like Manchester". That's the point. Mayoralties are not one size fits all. The East Mids Combined County Authority's 'vision for growth' shows how leaders can tailor sub regional strategies, joining up housing, skills and transport powers for local areas.

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

A big devolution day with press reports suggesting fiscal devolution, greater powers and a new 'local first' principle trailed in the papers. But for Andy Burnham to truly spread 'good growth in every postcode' requires a complete English devolution map 🧵

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Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

...even when these areas are taken into account we still fall short of full mayoral coverage (N.B. we won't necessarily reach the almost 70% population coverage by 2028, a decision taken last year to delay mayoral elections reopened the approvals process to create a new mayoralty)

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

As we have previously called for - full coverage remains a sensible aim. There is an important case for fairness between areas, an opportunity to foster democratic engagement and strengthen civic identity. Key urban areas (Leicester, Stoke, Reading) lack a settlement...

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

A big devolution day with press reports suggesting fiscal devolution, greater powers and a new 'local first' principle trailed in the papers. But for Andy Burnham to truly spread 'good growth in every postcode' requires a complete English devolution map 🧵

Matthew Fright
@matthewfright.bsky.social

Labour entered office on a manifesto which explicitly promised to 'widen devolution to more areas, encouraging local areas to come together and take on new powers'. This was part of a plan to counter overcentralisation - something the govt said constrained growth

Matthew Fright reposted

Alex Thomas
@alexgathomas.bsky.social

Here’s our piece wrapping up Andy Burnham’s government formation - six things we learned about BurnhamWorld by @rebeccamckee.bsky.social @philipnye.bsky.social @meganbryer.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/six-...

instituteforgovernment.org.ukSix things we learned from Andy Burnham’s government formation | Institute for GovernmentWhat do Andy Burnham’s cabinet choices reveal about the priorities and direction of his new government?