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Accountability Gap | Fabian Society

This includes putting this government's Councils, like the Council of Mayors, onto statute with a right to be consulted on future reform. Want to find out more? You can read my report, launched today by the @thefabians.bsky.social, digging into this further. fabians.org.uk/publication/...

fabians.org.uk

Fabian Society

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And, we should expand bottom-up accountability for councils holding Mayors to account while developing a culture of mutual respect between tiers of government. Central government should work with mayors to hold central government to account and demand high standards from mayors.

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Government should establish hybrid Local Accounting Officers, similar to Wales’s model but within England’s systems accountability framework and shift accountability for devolved funds out of central government to be vested in LAOs who are principally held to account locally.

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This means expanding scrutiny functions, improving audit, and piloting local public-accounts style committees in Established Mayoral Stategic Authorities to hold the central state to account for spending & services in the EMSA area, for better collaboration & integration.

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We recommend a prominent and respected local scrutiny system providing real local challenge, checks, and balances. The government should create powerful local scrutiny chairs, leading independent capacity to scrutinise stategically, drive improvement, and promote findings.

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To achieve this, we recommend taking the government's welcome strengthening of local scrutiny and audit to the next level, retaining the inclusive, collaborative governance system that they have designed to accompany further powers.

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What does this tell us we need? 1. Robust powerful democratic counterweights to strong executive power. 2. Accountability shifted out of the centre as far as possible with localised financial accountability & official transparency. 3. Mayoral legitimacy recognised & strengthened.

We can learn from what does work about accountability in local government, MSAs, central government departments, and the devolved nations to create the conditions for strong local accountability that allows central micromanagement to recede, liberating local decisionmaking.

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Right now, accountability to central government is too strong to enable local agency, innovation, and success. Meanwhile, local accountability is too weak, with limited capacity to be strategic and impactful.

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And as Mayors' powers rightly grow, including over funding their spending, we think that means a renewed architecture of holding them to account locally, so central government micromanagement can be swept away.

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We're super centralised, and all that power being kept away from local places is holding economies back at the local and national scales. The international evidence is clear on that. BUT, that evidence is qualified: Good governance is needed to boost living standards.

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

By 2027, Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities will together control £31bn annual spending. And if you heard Andy Burnham's speech, you'll know this will likely grow soon. Today, our report argues an upgraded accountability architecture will enable further fiscal devolution.

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Reposted by Marcus Johns

Robust local checks and balances are crucial if we want mayors to take on more power - and have more freedom from Whitehall. This report from @cllrmarcus.bsky.social fleshes out a comprehensive and practical proposal.

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Reposted by Marcus Johns

Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

🚨 NEW REPORT - Accountability Gap: How Robust Accountability Can Unlock Devolution's Promise Supported by @apsenews.bsky.social, this report by @cllrmarcus.bsky.social says we should go further and faster with “Manchesterism 2.0” to boost growth 🧵

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

At the Fabian Society, we're doing that thinking on what that next step on the journey should look like to better, more affordable renting.

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

At @thefabians.bsky.social Housing Summit, I spoke about 3 longstanding problems renters have told us in our focus groups on private renting: insecurity, poor quality homes & unaffordable rents. Insightful & passionate discussion on how gov is improving conditions for renters, and where to go next.

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The essays set out ideas from food, childcare, transport, energy, & student finance costs to good jobs, the warning from the US, and the public feeling unmoored and exposed economically. The ideas address the pressure that people are feeling where life just feels too tough and expensive.

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

In this collection of essays looking at raising living standards, I've set out how a whole-of-government approach should be taken to boost living standards and rebuild meaningful prosperity — a throughline of the things government say and do.

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Yuan Yang @yuanfenyang.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Rising food prices are one of the clearest examples of the cost of living crisis, and it's something that shoppers have to contend with every week. In @thefabians.bsky.social new pamphlet, I set out what a new Labour government can do to to bring inflation down.

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Joe Dromey @joedromey.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

🌹Labour Party Conference is coming soon! @thefabians.bsky.social will be delivering an exciting programme of receptions, panels and roundtables, exploring the big issues of our time. This conference will be hugely consequential. If you want to talk to us about an event, get in touch!

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Well there's clearly a lot of policy discussion going on (!) But amongst it all, I've set out why Labour must build a more visible and accountable state, for @labourlist.bsky.social And yes it was an excuse bang on about buses - but not for long, I promise! labourlist.org/2026/05/visi...

labourlist.org

'Labour is building a visible, accountable and confident state' - LabourList

Behind the scenes the government is reforming the state so that where it treads, it does so confidently, visibly and accountably.

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Reposted by Marcus Johns

Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

And there it is...the devolution bill is an Act. Hard to comprehend how big a deal this is for devolution. It is huge step forward, and something many of us have been working toward for some time - not least the minister! @miattafahnbulleh.bsky.social www.gov.uk/government/n...

gov.uk

English Devolution Bill receives Royal Assent

Act follows on from the English Devolution White Paper, which set out government agenda for devolution.

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Thought provoking reading by my colleague @sasjkia.bsky.social on how AI can transform the civil service

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Chris Wills (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈 @crispeater.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Excellent speeches too from Councillor Irene Robinson and @cllrmarcus.bsky.social - both of whom (like me) have lots of experience, both good and bad, of the private rented sector. Motion is carried. Such good news for private renters in Withington, and across our city. ❤️🌹

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Labour's spring statement showed progress but Gorton & Denton proved people still feel the pinch and popular policies haven't cut through. I argue policy & narrative must work together, relentless delivery backing up a story proudly told at every turn 👇 leftfootforward.org/2026/03/fabi...

leftfootforward.org

Fabian’s column: Labour is delivering on the economy: Now it must sell

Improving material living standards isn’t enough. Selling Labour’s economic agenda is politically imperative too.

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Ben Cooper @bencooper1995.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Labour is at risk of being ejected out of power by a populist wave from Reform and the Greens. So how should the party respond? I argue in my @labourlist.bsky.social column that Labour embrace its own authentic tradition of populism. labourlist.org/2026/03/ben-...

labourlist.org

Ben Cooper column: 'Labour needs to rediscover its own authentic populism' - LabourList

Labour needs to rediscover its own authentic populism and deliver on it in government.

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

You can see all our papers and watch discussions live from 2pm ⬇️ democracy.manchester.gov.uk/ieListDocume...

democracy.manchester.gov.uk

Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Today is Economy & Regeneration day at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social! Our Committee will discuss: 🏠 our housing services regulatory judgement 🏡 our Tenancy Strategy 📈 business support for Manchester businesses 🌳 growing and supporting the green economy.

Labour Unions @labourunionsuk.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Reposted by Marcus Johns

Brilliant atmosphere as we gear up for the #labourdoorstep in Gorton & Denton today with our big union campaign day to get Labour's Angeliki Stogia elected. Labour strengthened rights to make work fairer, Reform voted to block them. Only Labour offer solidarity, instead of division with Reform.

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

If you want to know more, then you can find all our papers and watch the discussion live from 2pm here: democracy.manchester.gov.uk/ieListDocume...

democracy.manchester.gov.uk

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

*The ABID is Manchester's Accommodation Business Improvement District, the £1 levy on room bookings in city centre hotels used for marketing, events, and improving the city's welcome. You could say it's MCR's proof-of-concept precursor to the govt's Visitor Levy (in consultation).

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

It's Economy & Regeneration day at @mancitycouncil.bsky.social! Today our committee will discuss: 🏛️MCC's 2026/27 budget and how new investment will be spent in Growth & Development and Highways 🌆 MCR's evening & night-time economy 🏩 MCR's visitor economy & the ABID*

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Testing Times | Fabian Society

And I highlighted last week's fantastic edited collection exploring lessons from devolution across Europe, alongside work that I'm now leading on good governance in strategic authorities. If you are interested in this work, then please just get in touch! fabians.org.uk/publication/...

fabians.org.uk

Fabian Society

Local government, esp. councils, shape everyday life & local economies, and after a decade of damaging austerity, the sector is finally turning a corner. Across growing our economy, caring for our climate & building housing—it's local & regional government at the frontline getting things done.

I've reflected particularly on her point that some of the most exciting change sits in smaller budget lines, like parks & libraries, with an outsized, equitable impact on families & communities. To open the session, I set out why local government matters, as the most visible part of the state.

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Luke Raikes @lukeraikes.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Enjoyed my first @thefabians.bsky.social Conference as a staff member this weekend. I met many members, thinkers & ministers enthusastic about renewing Britain. At our renewing local government session, I was privileged to introduced @allymcgovern.bsky.social, who's helping drive that renewal.

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Reposted by Marcus Johns

Many lessons from devolved governance in different countries: 1. Devolving is hard (eg France) 2. Coordination and respect are vital (eg Italy) 3. Fiscal devolution is essential (eg Germany) The Devolution Bill is England's chance to do this properly.

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Fabian Society @thefabians.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

📢 New Year Conference: Renewing Britain PLUS... A very special guest keynote speaker. 👀 Want to know who it is? Get your ticket and find out on Saturday 24 January!

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Chris Wills (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈 @crispeater.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

This is really good news - and timely after I pushed again at Economy and Regen Scrutiny for @mancitycouncil.bsky.social to have greater powers to tackle pavement parking. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @cllrmarcus.bsky.social @manchesterlabour.bsky.social @jeffsmithmp.bsky.social

bbc.co.uk

New powers for councils in England to fine pavement parkers

Councils will be able to take action against those creating

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Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

We defo say this in MCR too - mostly why to avoid town that night 😭

Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

You can tell us how you want this extra funding spent with our survey, and we’ll feed it into the Council’s thinking ⬇️ bit.ly/dgideas

bit.ly

Your ideas for improving our neighbourhoods - Deansgate Labour

Marcus Johns @cllrmarcus.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

This evening the Deansgate Labour team have been asking residents in Castlefield how they want Manchester City Council to invest the extra funding that our Government is allocating to Manchester.