Regional business leaders gathered at Pullman Hotel in Liverpool’s King’s Dock on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 to discuss devolution.
The event hosted by Downtown in Business and Public Affairs specialists PLMR heard Liverpool Council leader Liam Robinson welcome the latest advances on devolution from newly installed PM Andy Burnham.
Talking with business leaders representing firms across the Northwest, Cllr. Robinson – recently appointed as chair of Core Cities UK one of the most influential local government groups – explained how the process of devolving power was being rolled out, and how his personal preference was to ‘turbocharge it”.
The Labour council leader talked about how Metro Mayors were being invited to exercise their ‘right to request’ , a statutory process introduced in the recent English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which allows regions to formally propose new powers, funding and partnership from central government.
Asked what would rank as top priorities for his request, Cllr Robinson highlighted the difference dedicated devolved regional education standards can make. While no quick fix, the experience of London’s devolved education program saw Inner London’s school attainment levels skyrocket over a decade. Cllr. Robinson hoped for a similar opportunity for pupils in Liverpool City Region.
Business leaders shared their hopes and ambitions for greater devolution, stressing skills and training, and a focus on apprenticeships aligned with the talent pipeline needs for the city region’s maritime, construction, professional services and life sciences sectors, boosting business support for scale-ups and start-ups, as well as continued regeneration of our towns and cities high streets and communities.
Cllr. Robinson urged business leaders to ‘be seen and be vocal’ about their appetite for devolution and while having a ‘native-born Scouser’ in 10 Downing St – North and South – the city and its business community needed to be clear what its distinct offer would be.
