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It is very likely devolution will be a chaotic, muddied affair. How, political commentators have justifiably asked, can Andy Burnham pull it off when Whitehall has habitually been reluctant to relinquish power and money to local government? 

The prime minister’s crusade for localism is a hell of a long way from straightforward because the UK is one of the most fiscally centralised countries in the world. If Labour presses on with its reorganisation of local government, which has been halted following legal advice, it’s going to get messy.

But that’s Burnham’s problem. That’s why he gets paid the big bucks.

As far as independent pharmacy owners and prospective owners are concerned, perhaps devolution brings a chink of light in the shape of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 which became law in April. 

To explain, I must take you back to a story we ran last month about Hillingdon Council’s decision to increase Carewell Chemist’s rent and those of other businesses on Mulberry Parade by 100 per cent. 

The council served the pharmacy with a section 25 notice, giving it the option of accepting a new lease or ending the tenancy.

The pharmacy’s owner Jatish Mistry said the increase will force it to relocate for the first time in 35 years. The council said it had a “responsibility to Hillingdon taxpayers to manage its commercial properties properly”.

I was reminded about Carewell Chemist’s predicament when an email popped into my inbox yesterday from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) clarifying the purpose of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.

For independent pharmacy owners who haven’t heard of it, it’s worth a read. The new law bans upward-only rent review provisions in all commercial business leases, including new/renewal leases but not existing ones.

The MHCLG pointed out it covers leases held by local authorities and includes community pharmacies.

I don’t know if the new law will come to the aid of Carewell Chemist. Besides, legal experts say the ban is not expected to take effect until 2027 or 2028.

But at least things are a little less muddied.

Neil Trainis is the editor of Independent Community Pharmacist.