Reinvigorating Devolution: Why Scotland Needs a New Debate on Power and Place

This report examines how devolution has reshaped territorial governance in Scotland while leaving deeper questions of central–local balance unresolved. It highlights three interrelated dynamics. First, economic and demographic activity has become increasingly concentrated in Edinburgh and the East-Central Belt since 1999, widening gaps with other parts of Scotland. Second, political power has also centralised at Holyrood, with local authorities constrained financially and institutionally, limiting their role as meaningful counterweights. Third, public opinion reflects these imbalances, with many Scots in rural and peripheral areas perceiving devolution as having disproportionately benefited central and affluent regions. A growing debate in Scotland is now focused on the concentration of power in Edinburgh and the limited capacity of local governance. In this context, attention has turned to reforms trialled in England in response to over-centralism, particularly combined authorities and directly elected mayors, which are seen by some as possible approaches to addressing Scotland’s own challenges. Although not directly transferable, these English innovations offer insights into the opportunities and limitations of institutional reforms to strengthen local accountability and voice. The report concludes by reflecting on how Scotland might pursue its own path toward more territorially balanced and responsive governance, while also shedding light on the evolving trajectory of devolution across the UK.