Lancashire is playing catch-up

Phil Riley, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, describes Lancashire’s devolution progress as the start of a journey of catch-up.

The length of that journey and just how much ground has to be covered was highlighted last month by a series of announcements by Greater Manchester’s mayoral authority.

They included plans to set up new Mayoral Development Corporations (MDCs) in four of its towns to spearhead new development, regenerate town centres and deliver state-of-the-art sporting facilities and transport links.

MDCs are statutory bodies, set up by the mayor, designed to speed up development and attract investment within a specific area.

They can take on broad powers including land acquisition, planning, and infrastructure functions. They also act as a single ‘front door’ for the private sector, and provide long-term certainty for partners and investors.

Greater Manchester’s first MDC in Stockport, launched in 2019, is delivering 2,700 new homes, £600m in private investment, and new employment space in the town’s business district.

Over the past decade, fuelled by its trailblazing devolution deal with central government, Greater Manchester has become the fastest growing economy in the UK.

It has delivered annual economic growth of 3.1 per cent since 2015 with a rise in productivity outpacing the national average.

And in 2025 the authority launched a 10-year Integrated Pipeline for growth – identifying high impact housing, employment, and regeneration projects – underpinned by its £1bn ‘Good Growth Fund’.

The juggernaut shows no signs of slowing.

In contrast, Lancashire is just getting out of first gear. Its non-mayoral Combined County Authority (LCCA) marked its first anniversary in February.

It has highlighted the progress made in those 12 months. In a significant move, new authority has adopted the ‘Lancashire Growth Plan’ which maps £20bn of additional public and private investment opportunities.

An initial £20m of devolution funding has been used to progress projects including an Innovation Hub at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, Blackpool’s flagship digital infrastructure project Silicon Sands and new office for the DWP, and Blackburn’s Cyber Campus and Innovation Quarter.

Another £20m of government funding used to deliver key benefits across the county, including business support and employment
and skills provision.

The authority has also adopted the ‘Get Lancashire Working Plan’, which supports people who face barriers such as health conditions or disadvantages to find a job.

And it has begun consultations on a Local Transport Plan, which it says aims to transform travel choices, “unleash Lancashire’s economic potential and integrate new technologies”.

This year will see the submission of a bid for £20m of Local Innovation Partnership funding to underpin activity around defence, security and critical national infrastructure.

The LCCA will become the Local Transport Authority for Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool
Council on April 1 – with a funding settlement valued at over £640m over the next four years.

And this year, under the terms of the devo deal, it will also take on responsibility for an Adult Skills Fund of £40m.

Looking back at the 12 months, Councillor Riley, who also chairs the LCCA Transport Advisory Board, says: “Devolving powers from Westminster to local areas such as Lancashire is the way forward.

“And although we are a long way behind some of our neighbours like Greater Manchester and Merseyside, it’s great news that the journey of catching up has begun. The residents of Lancashire deserve the best that we can achieve on their behalf.”

Stephen Atkinson, chair of the LCCA and the leader of Lancashire County Council, also believes progress is being made.

He says: “We have already delivered real progress, unlocking millions of pounds in funding to support people and businesses
across the county and also identified billions of pounds of investment opportunities.

“Lancashire’s residents and businesses deserve the best opportunities, and we are showing that by putting the power in the hands of local leaders we can deliver investment and compete on the regional and national stage.”

Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams, who chairs the LCCA Economy Advisory Board, believes the government is starting to take Lancashire seriously.

She adds: “Our next step is to make sure that our voice continues to be heard, and we can access more public and private investment to make our collective home towns better.”