News & views

4 August 2026

• Campaign backed by business, education, VCSE and MPs
• Aim to drive forward devolution agenda and secure fairer deal for LLR
• Data shows growing gaps in funding between devolved and non-devolved regions

A campaign has launched calling for the acceleration of Devolution in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Devolution Leicestershire is a cross-sector group spanning regionally-based industry, education, and nonprofit stakeholders.

Partners include East Midlands Chamber, Leicestershire Business Voice and VCSE sector leaders. Devolution Leicestershire has also gained public support from county and city MPs including Liz Kendall, Jeevun Sandher and Amanda Hack.

The campaign’s website went live on Friday morning – shortly before Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced new plans to hand further decision-making and spending powers to devolved regions.

The purpose of Devolution Leicestershire is to support local authorities in accelerating a successful devolution settlement to the benefit of everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Scott Knowles DL,Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber, said:

“Devolution is channelling billions of pounds into English mayoral authorities.

“Government is now regularly routing skills budgets, transport capital, business support grants and housing investment through Strategic Mayoral Authorities.

“Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland does not have an SMA. We believe that needs to change quickly.”

Sue Tilley, Chair, Leicestershire Business Voice, said:

“The message from the business community is clear: Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland need a settlement that strengthens local decision-making, attracts greater investment and improves skills and infrastructure, enabling us to compete more effectively with areas that already benefit from devolved powers.”

Dave Brazier, Chair, Leicester Social Enterprise Network, said:

“The absence of growth funding allocation for our region risks undermining the vital support provided by the voluntary, community, social enterprise sector and places Leicester at further risk of decline.

“While we await a Devolution deal, we would urge the exploration of alternative mechanisms through which funding can be directed to the city and county – ensuring continued support for employment, enterprise and community-led initiatives.”

Jennifer Thomas, Regional Business and Stakeholder Manager, Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“Small businesses want decisions, funding and support to be shaped around their needs and the communities they serve.

“Devolution for Leicestershire and Rutland will offer a real opportunity to align local investment, skills and economic growth with the needs of local businesses, helping create a stronger, more competitive and more resilient region.

“If we are to truly level the playing field, small businesses must be at the forefront of decision-making and recognised as the driving force behind both regional growth and national prosperity.”

The lack of investment driven by the fact there is no devolution deal in place within the region is evident across sectors and industries.

Data compiled by Devolution Leicestershire paints a stark picture in comparing Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with devolved areas.

Research shows:

• Central funding for business support services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is currently zero.
• Tees Valley receives almost 9 times more skills funding than LLR
• For every £1 received for transport in LLR, other areas received up to £19.

The need for an effective Devolution deal picked up pace after Local Government Reorganisation decisions were announced and Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.

The former Greater Manchester Mayor is a long-time advocate for Devolution and announced a raft of new powers and measures for devolved areas in his first weeks in office.

Devolution Leicestershire will work with local and national government to help deliver an effective solution for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland while also pushing for a fair deal on interim funding from central government.

You can read more at  devolutionleicestershire.org.uk.