Financial decentralisation is already happening, and Newcastle is seeing the benefits

It is well known that the United Kingdom state is highly centralised, with local government suffering from cumulative disempowerment since its hey-day, and facing severe financial challenges under the current Government’s austerity programme. But one source of hope for the sector lies in financial decentralisation. Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes argues that it’s time for Whitehall to give more financial control to our core cities.