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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 6h

In the long run I can imagine a world in which local areas have more control over some aspects of regulations like that. Though pros and cons. But I think the things we’ve put in the report are a good start for increasing local incentives to get things done and control costs.

JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 6h

Great news on buses!

On cost - isn’t whole story - but we think that giving local areas more control will help to control costs as it aligns who pays with spending much more than centrally given grants do. And giving local areas control of planning approvals could also help with this.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 7h

And great that the @yorkshirepost.co.uk @jaymitchinson.bsky.social backed our report in their leader column!

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...

Mayors can deliver much more for regions if they’re given the power to build

The progress made on devolution in recent years under successive governments is laudable following years of stalemate. Mayors have already proven themselves to be powerful voices for their respective ...

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

Reposted by JP Spencer

JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

The map below shows how far behind France and Germany we are in mass transit. In France, every place with over 150,000 people has some form of tram or metro.

But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.

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The UK has very few mass transit systems compared to peers

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Reposted by JP Spencer

Bob Melling @bobmelling.bsky.social · 1d

This isn't just about transit.

It's also worth considering how every additional project taken on by local and regional government builds local state capacity.

JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

The map below shows how far behind France and Germany we are in mass transit. In France, every place with over 150,000 people has some form of tram or metro.

But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.

🧵

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

I've also posted about the implications for the North of England here.

futurenorth.substack.com/p/let-tracy-...

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Let Tracy Build

Mayors should be allowed to just build transport projects

futurenorth.substack.com

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

Read more detail - including @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social foreword - in the full report 'Let Mayors Build: a new deal for transport'.

www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/...

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Let Mayors Build — Labour Together

The UK has fewer mass transit systems than other European countries. This paper, co-authored with the Centre for British Progress, argues that giving metro mayors the power to fund and approve new inf...

www.labourtogether.uk

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

The government should also speed up approvals with less central control over businesses cases for mayors with integrated settlements - and an expedited process for anything that does still require some central approval or funding.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

Mayors should be able to approve transport projects in their areas, without needing DfT approval of a 'Transport and Works Act Order'. Let mayors take on the process.

They should also have access to local revenue sources to fund these projects - just like in other countries.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

Let alone Leeds, if Preston or Peterborough were in France then they would have trams too given their size.

Looking at the North, the map below shows some of the places we would expect to have trams given the French example. Places like Hull, Middlesborough and Warrington are all big enough.

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Middlesborough, Preston, Hull and more would have trams if they were in France

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

Contrast this with the infamous Leeds tram. The mayor and govt have made a welcome push to have spades in the ground by 2028. But the contrast with other countries where places can just get on with building is stark.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

The report highlights Strasbourg. Elected in 1989 promising trams, a mayor was able to open the new tram in 1994 and win re-election in 1995 on a pledge fulfilled. The map above shows how far behind France and Germany we are in terms of mass transit.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

In ‘Let Mayors Build’ - published today with @britishprogress.org @davidlawrenceuk.bsky.social @hopkinsonben.bsky.social - we set out how giving mayors power over approvals and funding will drive pride and prosperity through new transport projects delivered more quickly - and likely cheaper.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 1d

The map below shows how far behind France and Germany we are in mass transit. In France, every place with over 150,000 people has some form of tram or metro.

But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.

🧵

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 2d

£2.7bn of stamp duty receipts in 23-24 came from properties worth more than £1.5m.

SDLT may be a bad tax, but I don’t think a pure tax giveaway to multimillionaire property owners should be a priority.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 2d

Guess it depends? For existing homeowners has less impact, but first time buyers with a mortgage will need to take out a bigger one - where relative affordability depends on interest rates?

JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 2d

I annoyingly can’t find the research now but there’s a research paper which suggests something like every 1% cut in Stamp Duty actually leads to a 2% increase in houses prices (due to bigger deposits being leveraged) so cutting it might actually make housing more expensive.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 2d

Good question! The Windrush scandal was caused in part by an inability to prove identity so a system that enables that could have helped? Am assuming you disagree though given tone so interested to know why.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 2d

As if to confirm the depressing polarisation point, various anonymous accounts have turned up with very strong views and more. Happily making use of Bluesky’s block button for anyone - particularly anonymous accounts - who can’t be civil.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 2d

www.gov.uk/government/n...

New digital ID scheme to be rolled out across UK

A new digital ID scheme will help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services. Digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks ...

www.gov.uk

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 2d

True - but as with the origins of GDS and other tech projects guess they have to start somewhere then scale.

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 2d

Yes!

"The roll-out will in time make it easier to apply for government and private sector services, such as helping renters to quickly prove their identity to landlords, improving access to welfare and other benefits, and making it easier for parents to apply for free childcare."

Digital ID scheme: explainer

www.gov.uk

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Reposted by JP Spencer

JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 4d

Last month, the government published a new Pride in Place Strategy. I was really struck by the graph below.

There is a very clear and worrying link between incomes and social trust in an area.

www.gov.uk/government/p...

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 3d

Been very depressed by the reaction to Digital ID - a discussion which has become very polarised, very quickly.

Other countries use it and it helps them to deliver various public services better - so on balance if done right it is likely to be a good thing as argued in the piece below.

LabourList @labourlist.bsky.social · 3d

'Done right, digital ID could restore trust in the state' argues Dan Howl

‘Done right, digital ID could restore trust in the state’ – LabourList

Trust is the lifeblood of any modern democracy, and the foundation of every successful digital system. And so, in the case of Digital ID, Government…

labourlist.org

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JP Spencer @jpspencer.bsky.social · 4d

This must be part of a longer term and wider plan to empower places as I argued for in 'Pride and Prosperity' - giving every place the civic power to deliver.

www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/...

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