The UK is one of the most fiscally centralised countries in the developed world.
Unlike countries such as Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, whose local councils can access a range of revenue sources and are able to adjust and introduce local levies, councils in England can only levy two taxes: council tax and business rates. Both are subject to significant intervention and control by central government.
The previous and current Mayors of London have both looked at how to devolve powers locally and progress the devolution agenda in London. London has more residents than Scotland, so governance and devolution here is as important as it is in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Devolution in London is more advanced than in other areas of England, however, there are further areas for potential devolution to consider, in particular fiscal devolution.
The GLA Oversight Committee will tomorrow consider the impact on London of the Levelling Up White Paper published in February 2022 and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill introduced in May 2022.
The guests are:
- John Dickie, Chief Executive, London First
- Ed Hammond, Deputy Chief Executive, Centre for Governance and Scrutiny
- Jeremy Skinner, Assistant Director City Intelligence, GLA
- Enver Enver, Assistant Director Group Finance, GLA
The meeting will take place on Thursday, 16 June from 2.00pm, in The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube
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Notes to editors
- Read the agenda papers.
- Léonie Cooper AM, Chair of the GLA Oversight Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the GLA Oversight Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.