Devolution a reality with health handover

DEVOLUTION in Greater Manchester is finally becoming a reality with the handover of health powers, a leading think tank says.

The Institute of Public Policy research (IPPR) has welcomed the transfer of health powers and parts of the NHS budget to Greater Manchester.

But it also called on local politicians to do a better job than their Westminster counterparts in joining different health, social, transport and environmental policies to improve people’s lives amid cutbacks.

IPPR research into English regional policies has helped it to become one of the key organisations leading northern devolution debate.

Harry Quilter-Pinner, an IPPR health researcher, said: “This week’s handover of powers is confirmation that devolution is an idea finally becoming reality. While there are undoubtedly risks involved, critics are overstating their case and failing to see the opportunities. The biggest opportunity is that for local leaders to align health spending with spending on all the other things that determine public health - housing, transport, criminal justice, education and employment.

“The challenge for Greater Manchester is to show how local leaders can unlock these benefits - and demonstrate they can do a better job than the Secretary of State for Health and the Chancellor.“

The key principles underpinning the status of the NHS - that it is free and universal – have been protected by an amendment to the Government’s Cities and Devolution Bill.