A capacity-building strategy for English devolution to drive geographic fairness
Think tank: City-REDI
Author(s): Various authors
November 10, 2026
This report from UK think tank City-REDI argues that capacity-building is essential if English devolution is to reduce rather than deepen spatial inequalities.
This policy brief argues that capacity-building is essential if English devolution is to reduce rather than deepen spatial inequalities. The authors find that current approaches lack a clear definition of capacity, are not based on local need, blur responsibilities between central and local government, and risk favouring already well-resourced areas. They call for a national capacity-building strategy that defines and measures governance capacity, targets support according to local needs, clarifies responsibilities across government, and prioritises places with the weakest capacity.
Key Findings
1 – Capacity
Capacity is the gateway to further devolution in England, yet it is unevenly distributed and poorly defined. Without deliberate action, devolution will widen the gaps between places.
2 – Four shortcomings for capacity-building
Our analysis of the English devolution agenda finds four shortcomings for capacity-building: no systemic definition of capacity; no needs-based allocation; no clear separation of central and local responsibility; and little attention to spatial inequality.
3 – Development of a national capacity-building strategy
We call on the government to publish a national capacity-building strategy that defines capacity systemically, disaggregates it into types, assesses need place by place, allocates responsibility more explicitly, and is framed first and foremost as an equalisation strategy.
