Under the premiership of Andy Burnham, the British government has committed to devolving powers to local authorities to drive growth in regional areas. Whilst we await the full release of Rewiring the State, Zagham Farhan (SU President for Undergraduates at Oxford Students’ Union) outlines why students need to be involved in local governance structures.
The Prime Minister is committed to ‘rewiring the British state,’ and an expansion of devolution is a core part of that agenda. We know that devolution presents a massive opportunity for the student movement and young people, but only when their voices are actively included.
At Russell Group Students’ Unions, we represent over 750,000 students across the UK. That is a significant amount of people making important social and economic contributions in communities across the country.
Political representation for young people – and therefore a significant percentage of our student bodies - remains a massive challenge at all levels of Government. At the 2024 General Election, voter turnout was some 23% higher for people aged 66+ than for young people aged 18-25. The Electoral Commission has also repeatedly expressed concerns about the level of engagement in local politics from young people. All of this has real world policy consequences, and often leads to frustrations amongst young people with the political process and its outcomes.
The government’s new devolution agenda is a big opportunity for change. Over the course of this Parliament, the government will be shaping what strategic authorities may look like for many years to come. That has to be done with young people, students, and higher education institutions in mind. ‘Good growth in every postcode’ is a goal with enormous potential to improve the lives of young people and the graduate generation, but only if that growth is felt for people at every stage in life.
Permanent mayors with enhanced powers, particularly now keeping a percentage of income tax receipts, will become highly impactful politicians, as has been seen in places like Greater Manchester. This is an opportunity for the higher education sector more generally to form meaningful relationships with their regional politicians.
Governance decisions made in London can, and does, feel remote for people across the country. We hope that university and students’ union officers will soon be able to engage with local politicians who hold increasing authority and responsibility. The opportunities for changes on accommodation policy, public transport, culture and sport all have the potential to be meaningful for students.
Russell Group SUs and universities all have an important part to play in shaping this new system. As large, impactful, and nationally important institutions, both student and staff leaders can drive the development of devolution. Our universities each employ and teach tens of thousands of people, in regions across the country, and should be integral partners for strategic authorities.
So as the government sets out to reshape English governance, they need to keep students and young people in mind. Representation structures need to be built in from the beginning, not tacked on later.
Importantly, representation cannot simply be tokenistic. Students and student representatives must actually be listened to and need to be integral partners in shaping policy development and operational enactment. Youth Combined Authorities and Young Mayors are one model, but strategic authorities should consider a range of options for seriously bringing young people to the table. Dedicated consultation groups for specific policy areas and regular engagement with local students’ unions and university groups also have great potential.
Students’ unions provide a model for what local government could look like. Councils and authorities should consider having youth representatives attend their meetings and contribute to debates and discussions, just as SU officers do at the university level.
The government has committed to allowing for Deputy Mayors to be appointed with specific portfolios. Strategic authorities should consider appointing a ‘Deputy Mayor for Young People,’ or a ‘Deputy Mayor for Young Adults,’ with defined responsibility for issues such as student housing and youth employment, beyond an ordinary education remit. That role would provide a clear and accountable way for students and young people to contribute to politics, and to see delivery on the areas that matter most to them.
The expansion of devolution is a big moment for British politics. Power has been centralised for too long, and that builds frustration and resentment. The student movement has an opportunity to shape this expansion, and that is one that cannot be missed.
The government wants local areas to ‘set their own ambitions.’ Our ambitions for students and young people are high, and we hope the government is willing to work with us to meet them.
Written by Zagham Farhan, SU President for Undergraduates at Oxford Students’ Union.