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Burnham launches ‘double devolution’ to boost civic engagement

9/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a programme to reverse Britain’s long-term civic engagement decline.
Almost half of British adults lack civic, religious or sports membership, and volunteering is 17%.
Burnham proposes ‘double devolution’, moving spending and decisions from central government to local communities.
Government will back local news and large online groups, like a 60,000-member Facebook page, to restore trust.

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Story summary

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a programme to reverse Britain’s long-term civic engagement decline.
Almost half of British adults lack civic, religious or sports membership, and volunteering is 17%.
Burnham proposes ‘double devolution’, moving spending and decisions from central government to local communities.
Government will back local news and large online groups, like a 60,000-member Facebook page, to restore trust.