Mark Sandford
@marksandford.bsky.social
Local and regional government, funding issues, national and regional identity; mostly writing for the House of Commons Library but elsewhere too. Occasional attempts at folk music, cycling, making food
What's a 'tourist tax' or 'visitor levy', how does it work, what are the options for England? See some background here commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Tourist taxes: policy and debates
A briefing about transient visitor levies or 'tourist taxes', including information on plans for the introduction of tourist taxes in Scotland and Wales.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
What's a 'tourist tax' or 'visitor levy', how does it work, what are the options for England? See some background here commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by Mark Sandford
This edition includes contributions from Dave Busfield-Birch, Tom Fleming, Jim Gallagher, Robert Hazell, @rowaninlondon.bsky.social, @lisajames.bsky.social, @hannahkelly.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, Meg Russell, @marksandford.bsky.social, @paulsilk.bsky.social and @alanwhysall.bsky.social.
November 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
This edition includes contributions from Dave Busfield-Birch, Tom Fleming, Jim Gallagher, Robert Hazell, @rowaninlondon.bsky.social, @lisajames.bsky.social, @hannahkelly.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, Meg Russell, @marksandford.bsky.social, @paulsilk.bsky.social and @alanwhysall.bsky.social.
This is really interesting, JP. Any thoughts as to why Rotherham's productivity started climbing in 2021 specifically? I know that's around the time that the mayoralty got full powers but I'd be loath to claim a direct association...
Read more about the rise of Rotherham and South Yorkshire’s economy in the new post below.
futurenorth.substack.com/p/what-lies-...
6/6
futurenorth.substack.com/p/what-lies-...
6/6
What lies behind the rise of Rotherham?
Understanding the economy of South Yorkshire - and what the future might hold
futurenorth.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This is really interesting, JP. Any thoughts as to why Rotherham's productivity started climbing in 2021 specifically? I know that's around the time that the mayoralty got full powers but I'd be loath to claim a direct association...
Delighted to discover that Dick Advocaat is the coach of Curacao's men's football team. Nominative determinism lives!
November 19, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Delighted to discover that Dick Advocaat is the coach of Curacao's men's football team. Nominative determinism lives!
Tourist tax may be introduced via English Devolution Bill, says The Times: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rachel Reeves may allow tourism tax, increasing the price of staycation
The chancellor is expected to announce in the budget that mayors will be given sweeping powers to raise taxes by charging visitors a levy on an overnight stay
www.thetimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Tourist tax may be introduced via English Devolution Bill, says The Times: www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Mark Sandford
I was tagged and asked to take a look at this claim - cos, well just look at it!🙄
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
November 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
I was tagged and asked to take a look at this claim - cos, well just look at it!🙄
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Reposted by Mark Sandford
BREAKING Home Office is about to announce that police and crime commissioners are to be scrapped..
Established in 2012 by Theresa May, Labour has never been a fan of the PCC system…they’ll be replaced in 2028 by policing mayors & local policing boards ..
Established in 2012 by Theresa May, Labour has never been a fan of the PCC system…they’ll be replaced in 2028 by policing mayors & local policing boards ..
November 13, 2025 at 11:13 AM
BREAKING Home Office is about to announce that police and crime commissioners are to be scrapped..
Established in 2012 by Theresa May, Labour has never been a fan of the PCC system…they’ll be replaced in 2028 by policing mayors & local policing boards ..
Established in 2012 by Theresa May, Labour has never been a fan of the PCC system…they’ll be replaced in 2028 by policing mayors & local policing boards ..
I would like to put on record my thanks to the late Professor John Stewart, who encouraged me to write something in this space several years ago. Only just found the time and the excuse: the English Devolution Bill is making some changes to these matters commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
November 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I would like to put on record my thanks to the late Professor John Stewart, who encouraged me to write something in this space several years ago. Only just found the time and the excuse: the English Devolution Bill is making some changes to these matters commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
When do UK councils and parliaments need a two-thirds majority, or another proportion that isn't a 'simple' majority, to do something? New House of Commons Library publication on supermajorities commonslibrary.parliament.uk/supermajorit... #devolution #mayors
Supermajorities in UK government
Certain decisions in combined authorities, and in the devolved parliaments, require supermajorities (a higher threshold than a simple majority.)
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:28 AM
When do UK councils and parliaments need a two-thirds majority, or another proportion that isn't a 'simple' majority, to do something? New House of Commons Library publication on supermajorities commonslibrary.parliament.uk/supermajorit... #devolution #mayors
So how exactly do you go about changing #counciltax in order to obtain more money from valuable properties?
November 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
So how exactly do you go about changing #counciltax in order to obtain more money from valuable properties?
It's also very bizarre constitutionally to permit MPs any form of say over local spending decisions, although it might sound intuitive. MPs have never had decision-making rights of this sort. The only precedent is the predecessors of this funding programme under the Johnson/Sunak administrations.
This won’t be the big thing everyone’s talking about today, but shows how little ministers believe in empowering English local government. Ministers decide where funding goes and MPs want a say in how it’s spent. Local government as delivery agents rather than instruments of local democracy.
Labour to stop Reform councils taking credit for deprivation cash
The Pride in Place fund offers up to £20 million to be allocated by respected local figures — but Labour MPs fear Nigel Farage’s influence and want a greater role
www.thetimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:26 AM
It's also very bizarre constitutionally to permit MPs any form of say over local spending decisions, although it might sound intuitive. MPs have never had decision-making rights of this sort. The only precedent is the predecessors of this funding programme under the Johnson/Sunak administrations.
Council tax raid? www.ft.com/content/8fce... Is it possible to raise taxes on 'expensive homes' through the council tax system without a revaluation? Many 'expensive homes' will have been below bands G and H 35 years ago...
Rachel Reeves plans Budget tax raid on expensive homes
UK chancellor predicted to plump for ‘least worst option’ of creating higher council tax bands in England
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Council tax raid? www.ft.com/content/8fce... Is it possible to raise taxes on 'expensive homes' through the council tax system without a revaluation? Many 'expensive homes' will have been below bands G and H 35 years ago...
Sub-national experimentation hailed by Dani Rodrik:
"in advanced and developing economies alike, there are many subnational experiments in which partnerships between government agencies and the private sector or civic groups are delivering meaningful economic transformations."
"in advanced and developing economies alike, there are many subnational experiments in which partnerships between government agencies and the private sector or civic groups are delivering meaningful economic transformations."
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Sub-national experimentation hailed by Dani Rodrik:
"in advanced and developing economies alike, there are many subnational experiments in which partnerships between government agencies and the private sector or civic groups are delivering meaningful economic transformations."
"in advanced and developing economies alike, there are many subnational experiments in which partnerships between government agencies and the private sector or civic groups are delivering meaningful economic transformations."
Woking to have £500m of debt repaid as part of reorganisation questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat... That is a lot bigger commitment than I expected, raises prospect of moral hazard, but likely unavoidable in the circumstances
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
October 28, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Woking to have £500m of debt repaid as part of reorganisation questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat... That is a lot bigger commitment than I expected, raises prospect of moral hazard, but likely unavoidable in the circumstances
Exactly this. One could also look at the 50% turnout - up from 43% *at the last all-out Assembly election* - and conclude that greater party competitiveness is revitalising political participation!
This is why I wouldn’t put too much stock in current MRP results showing reform majority - voters can and do tactically co-ordinate as we saw last July with anti-Con tactical voting. Indeed, strong MRP results for Reform may help inform and encourage anti-Farage tactical voting.
It's easy to look at stuff like this and assume the next general election is going to a mess. But there are 650 individual contests — in which voters are pretty adept at working out which lever they need to pull to get the result they want.
October 24, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Exactly this. One could also look at the 50% turnout - up from 43% *at the last all-out Assembly election* - and conclude that greater party competitiveness is revitalising political participation!
The Government has published the 2024-25 Devolution Annual Report earlier this week: www.gov.uk/government/p...
This is much speedier than usual: normally the annual report appears about 11-12 months after the financial year in question!
This is much speedier than usual: normally the annual report appears about 11-12 months after the financial year in question!
Secretary of State’s Annual Report on English Devolution 2024-25
www.gov.uk
October 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Government has published the 2024-25 Devolution Annual Report earlier this week: www.gov.uk/government/p...
This is much speedier than usual: normally the annual report appears about 11-12 months after the financial year in question!
This is much speedier than usual: normally the annual report appears about 11-12 months after the financial year in question!
Reposted by Mark Sandford
These words from a Tory activist in Kruger's seat deserve some attention.
September 16, 2025 at 7:32 AM
These words from a Tory activist in Kruger's seat deserve some attention.
Reposted by Mark Sandford
This is vile. Local guy speaks to Sky News about the impact of asylum seekers protests. Watch what happens and share widely
September 3, 2025 at 10:33 PM
This is vile. Local guy speaks to Sky News about the impact of asylum seekers protests. Watch what happens and share widely
What do English mayors do, and how do they get things done? Looked into this with colleagues from University of Bristol and the result is here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Tl:dr;
Tl:dr;
How democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times
This article explores how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing on 132 interviews with decision-makers in England, it uses the case of heal...
www.tandfonline.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
What do English mayors do, and how do they get things done? Looked into this with colleagues from University of Bristol and the result is here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Tl:dr;
Tl:dr;
I'm not big on returning multiple times to specific Substacks and blogs and so on but I have always found 'Stumbling and Mumbling' very thought-provoking and erudite - and most importantly, not predictable in its outlook. So will definitely be checking this one out chrisdillow.substack.com
Chris Dillow | Substack
My personal Substack. Click to read Chris Dillow, a Substack publication. Launched 6 days ago.
chrisdillow.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I'm not big on returning multiple times to specific Substacks and blogs and so on but I have always found 'Stumbling and Mumbling' very thought-provoking and erudite - and most importantly, not predictable in its outlook. So will definitely be checking this one out chrisdillow.substack.com
English devolution will be moving onwards via the English Devolution Bill, in the House of Commons on 2 September. Find out more in the House of Commons Library briefing at commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-25
A briefing on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-25
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
August 20, 2025 at 1:10 PM
English devolution will be moving onwards via the English Devolution Bill, in the House of Commons on 2 September. Find out more in the House of Commons Library briefing at commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Not sure this is a deal breaker. In Sweden, every region bar Stockholm is a net recipient. Local taxes and redistribution still co-exist (relatively) peacefully, as they do in Germany, Italy, Denmark etcetera
My one quibble with @jpspencer.bsky.social is him saying that this doesn't necessarily mean taxes won't have to go up. I basically don't see how fiscal devolution can even work in a country where every part of England bar London is a net recipient if you are not having some v hefty increases:
Building the future
To build the future, we must learn from history
futurenorth.substack.com
August 16, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Not sure this is a deal breaker. In Sweden, every region bar Stockholm is a net recipient. Local taxes and redistribution still co-exist (relatively) peacefully, as they do in Germany, Italy, Denmark etcetera
Reposted by Mark Sandford
There is v little evidence of appetite for any national wave of protests, despite efforts online + in media to promote it
Rather there are larger local protests (Epping, Newcastle, Nuneaton) related to specific local incidents, with patchy, mostly floundering efforts to generate a wave of protest
Rather there are larger local protests (Epping, Newcastle, Nuneaton) related to specific local incidents, with patchy, mostly floundering efforts to generate a wave of protest
August 9, 2025 at 8:43 PM
There is v little evidence of appetite for any national wave of protests, despite efforts online + in media to promote it
Rather there are larger local protests (Epping, Newcastle, Nuneaton) related to specific local incidents, with patchy, mostly floundering efforts to generate a wave of protest
Rather there are larger local protests (Epping, Newcastle, Nuneaton) related to specific local incidents, with patchy, mostly floundering efforts to generate a wave of protest
Reposted by Mark Sandford
The map of England it generated isn’t much better.
August 8, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The map of England it generated isn’t much better.
I have been simultaneously al reading Radical Help by Hilary Cottam and The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van der Kolk. Is that swotting or just odd?
me: "I rather find that Huxley's earlier work - though thankfully devoid of the wearisome spiritualism of his later years - does somewhat insist upon itself, wouldn't you agree?"
my boss: "well, I'm reading a book about cavapoos"
my boss: "well, I'm reading a book about cavapoos"
July 31, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I have been simultaneously al reading Radical Help by Hilary Cottam and The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van der Kolk. Is that swotting or just odd?