Akash Paun

Programme Director for Devolution , Institute for Government

My Speaker Sessions

Friday 27 November 2026

11:05

Devolution or déjà vu? Is the Burnham agenda real devolution or recreating the Government Offices of the Regions

11:05 - 10:35

As metro mayors take on ever-broader powers, Akash Paun of the Institute for Government asks a pointed question: is Andy Burnham's devolution agenda genuinely shifting power away from Whitehall, or simply recreating a regional tier of government reminiscent of the old Government Offices for the Regions? Or even recreating Whitehall at a regional level? Drawing on the IfG's experience, Paun will examine whether current arrangements amount to real local autonomy — or a rebranded version of central control.

Speakers