Burnham’s devolution plans risk leaving West Worcestershire behind, warns Lib Dem PPC Dan Boatright-Greene

Dan Boatright-Greene, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire, has warned Prime Minister Andy Burnham that his plans for English devolution risk creating a “left-behind Britain”, with communities like West Worcestershire losing out while areas with metro mayors receive greater powers, funding and investment.

Liberal Democrats have long argued that power should be devolved away from Whitehall and into local communities. However, Dan has raised concerns that the Government’s latest proposals to give mayoral authorities additional monetary powers and greater financial freedoms will deepen existing inequalities between areas with and without elected mayors.

Government figures already show a significant funding disparity. Existing mayoral strategic authorities will receive more than nine times the capacity funding available to strategic authorities in 2026-27 — £2.26 million compared with just £250,000. Areas in the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme will also receive annual investment funds ranging from £11 million to £44 million. West Worcestershire falls into neither category.

Metro mayors already enjoy powers unavailable elsewhere, including greater control over transport, regeneration and economic development. Under the Government’s latest proposals, they would also gain additional powers to retain more locally generated revenue to reinvest in their communities, giving mayoral areas an even greater advantage.

By contrast, West Worcestershire has been given no timetable, no additional funding and no guarantee that it will receive comparable powers. While the new arrangements for mayoral authorities are expected to begin from next April, with further powers following from 2028, Worcestershire County Council has confirmed that meaningful devolution locally cannot begin until after local government reorganisation is completed in 2028. A locally tailored “West Mercia” mayoral option has already been ruled out as unworkable.

That means residents and businesses across West Worcestershire face several years of uncertainty while other parts of the country move ahead with greater investment, stronger transport powers and more control over economic growth. Rather than leveling up every part of England, Dan warned the Government risks creating a postcode lottery where the benefits of devolution depend on where you live.

Dan fears that unless the Government changes course, communities like West Worcestershire risk falling further behind while investment and powers continue to concentrate in mayoral areas.

With Parliament currently in recess, Dan also criticised the lack of detail surrounding the proposals and the limited opportunity for proper parliamentary scrutiny. Earlier this month, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson Zöe Franklin and Liberal Democrat council leaders jointly wrote to Prime Minister Andy Burnham outlining their concerns about the Government’s devolution plans.

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire, Dan Boatright-Greene, said:

“Liberal Democrats have always believed decisions should be made closer to the communities they affect. We want to see power moved out of Whitehall and into local hands. But that’s not what’s happening here.

“Instead, the Government risks creating a two-tier England where areas with metro mayors receive more powers, more investment and greater freedom to grow their economies, while places like West Worcestershire are left waiting at the back of the queue.

“The Government’s own figures already show that areas without a mayor receive only a fraction of the funding available to mayoral authorities. Giving those areas even greater financial powers will only widen that gap.

“People in West Worcestershire work just as hard, pay the same taxes and deserve the same opportunities as those living in Greater Manchester, London or the West Midlands. If the Prime Minister is serious about spreading growth and opportunity across the country, he must ensure every community benefits from devolution—not just those fortunate enough to have a metro mayor.”