Joe Randall, IfG researcher, responded to the NAO report on devolution

“Today’s NAO report argues that the Government must clarify the ‘destination’ for English devolution. They are right that significant challenges and uncertainties remain with the current process for negotiating and agreeing devolution deals.

“The NAO also identifies risks around central government’s capacity to deliver the deals, particularly if political commitment were to decline. We agree that the Chancellor is crucial to maintaining momentum, but would take that one step further to argue that Whitehall itself also needs to change in order to make the ‘devolution revolution’ a reality.

“Our guide to effective devolution deals offers advice to all involved – civil servants, local government and politicians alike – who want to see stronger, more ambitious deals in the future.”