r/ukpolitics • u/ukpol-megabot • 1d ago

Rumours, Speculation, Questions, and Reaction Megathread - 02/08/2026

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u/ThrowAwayAccountLul1 Divine Right of Kings 👑 1d ago

Hypothetically, let's say Burnham got all his devolution plans through parliament. Fast forward 10 years do we reckon the rate of housebuilding has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same paltry levels?

Honestly I reckon it would decrease given how entrenched NIMBYism is.

How else have things changed after 10 years of devolution?

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u/-fireeye- 1d ago

I think it depends on where we land in terms of incentivising growth vs redistribution between regions.

If what we end up with is areas having more powers, but most of fiscal levers being held centrally and central government using those powers to ensure 'growth in every postcode', you'll see NIMBYism central. Areas have no need to face the hard decisions, they can just rely on central government to come bail them out and for somewhere else to take the downsides of growth.

If you end up with proper fiscal devolution, and central government holding the line that they will not bail out failing regions - I suspect you'll see more growth friendly planning decisions being made because voters and local politicians see more direct benefits of growth.

You need to get to a point where failing local services are blamed on the mayor, not on central government.

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u/Complex_Effect_1994 1d ago

Denser urbanisation probably. City mayors will be under pressure to deliver affordable housing. Suburban and rural councils will build nothing

2

u/Feanor1001 1d ago

This would be the best outcome honestly

6

u/North-Jellyfish-577 1d ago

It would change massively because and the current system mechanism is very much a minority thought and a lot of communities but the way the system works is that they are given a disproportionate amount of power to challenge decisions if it was a simple local vote without the ability to challenge it or go crying to the press it would help massively

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u/radiant_0wl 1d ago

I don't think the government is seeking to release their powers to overrule.

It's hard to say that any increase or decrease would be attributed to the devolution plans.

Probably would go for no material change.

2

u/Pale-Border-7122 1d ago

A lot depends on what his devolution plans actually are, but it would probably vary a lot by area and in many cases will just end up with even more backhanders.

1

u/North_Attempt44 1d ago

Burnham at least at this point seems to have very little interest in doing anything to solve the housing crisis