In February this year the Government launched the devolution priority programme, taking forward proposals to create mayoral strategic authorities in the great counties and communities of Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton.
This programme—one of the largest ever single packages of mayoral devolution in England—delivers on the Government’s commitment to widen devolution, with areas given sweeping new powers, putting them on the fast track to deliver growth, opportunities, transport and housing for local communities.
Following the announcement, public consultations were undertaken in each area. I am grateful for the responses received from local people, councils, businesses and wider stakeholders, which we have now carefully assessed. It is clear that, like us, communities care deeply about the future of their area and the benefits that devolution can bring. Today, the Government are also publishing summaries of these responses.
Following an assessment, I am pleased to confirm that the relevant statutory tests to establish mayoral strategic authorities in all six areas have been met. Subject to the constituent councils’ consent, legislation will be brought before Parliament in order to establish each of the six institutions early in 2026, devolving further powers to local leaders and those with local knowledge, to drive economic growth and empower communities with investment to support their work.
These ambitious next steps in our devolution revolution represent one of the greatest transfers of power from Westminster in a generation, bringing another 8.8 million people under mayoral devolution, which will now cover close to 80% of the country.
Four inaugural mayoral elections will take place in Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton, and will be held in May 2026. Following a request from the local authority leaders in Cumbria, and Cheshire and Warrington, the Government have agreed to align inaugural mayoral elections with the vast majority of local elections in May 2027, simplifying the elections for voters and saving taxpayers’ money.
The confirmation on the timing of these elections will not affect the speed of establishment of the combined authorities in these areas, with legislation to create the new authorities being laid alongside all others in the devolution priority programme, providing for strong foundations and positive partnership working, as well as early delivery of key local investment ahead of mayoral elections.
Mayoral elections held in 2026 will take place under the first-past-the-post voting system, as is currently the law. The recently tabled English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill would move future mayoral elections —and police and crime commissioner elections—to the supplementary vote system, which was in place prior to 2023. Subject to parliamentary approval, this would be relevant for the proposed 2027 mayoral elections onwards.
We will continue to work with councils over the summer, including to confirm funding for these new strategic authorities and to secure their consent to the establishment of secondary legislation.
We understand that these mayoral strategic authorities will also need funding certainty to be able to plan for the long-term and get maximum impact from their spending. As stated in the “English Devolution White Paper”, the 30-year investment funds will remain a core part of the offer to devolution priority programme areas, which will receive this funding on their creation. We are standardising funding for new institutions to increase transparency and fairness.
As devolution progresses, we value and expect the engagement of local Members of Parliament, local council leaders, police and crime commissioners, and other local stakeholders, with the constituent authorities.
Subject to Parliament, these areas will also benefit from the changes included in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which was introduced to Parliament last week. With access to the devolution framework, all six areas will have the powers they need to deliver more jobs, easier commutes and new homes for local people.
With power rebalanced from Whitehall, local leaders will finally have the tools they need to power up our regions, rebuild local government and empower communities.
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