Professor Tony Travers

Tony Travers is Associate Dean of the School of Public Policy at the London School of Economics (LSE) and is also a professor in LSE's Government Department. His research interests include public finance, local/regional government and devolution.

He chaired the Independent Commission on Local Government Finance in Wales (2015 - 2016) and the London Finance Commission (2012 – 2013; 2016 – 2017); he also co-chaired the King’s Commission on London (2016 – 2018). He has been involved in various other policy commissions, including the London City Growth Commission and others in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Reading, and Cambridgeshire.

He is an advisor to the House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee and is a board member of New Local. He is an Honorary Member of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation as well as the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

He has published books, articles and book chapters on local government, devolution, cities and London.

"At a constitutionally important moment for the UK, the role of local and other sub-national government within the country’s uncodified constitution needs to be considered and, probably, reformed. ​Local government resourcing and service responsibilities also need attention: the centre is trying to do too much and should concentrate on national priorities."