English devolution: mayoral strategic authorities

This research briefing provides an introduction to English devolution policy from the 2024 general election onwards. It covers the publication of the government white paper Power and Partnership: foundations for growth in December 2024, and the passage of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 in April 2026.

English devolution policy from 2014 to 2024 is covered in the Library research briefing Devolution to local government in England.

Section 1 of the briefing sets out the government’s policies and actions between the July 2024 general election and the passage of the 2026 Act.

Section 2 sets out the core new powers, and associated changes, that the Act establishes for mayoral strategic authorities.

Section 3 describes the different types of strategic authority and how their powers are determined, and the government’s approaches to geographical boundaries. It describes how mayors operate, including their powers to collaborate, to convene stakeholders, and to adopt strategic policy documents. It also sets out how mayors interact with the UK government, including through the Mayoral Council.

Section 4 explains the changes made by the 2026 Act to the governance of mayoral authorities, including arrangements for holding mayors to account.

Section 5 explains the operation of funding for mayoral authorities, including the integrated settlements that apply to Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (EMSAs).

The 2024 white paper introduced the terms ‘strategic authority’, ‘mayoral strategic authority’ and ‘established mayoral strategic authority’. These are intended to replace ‘mayoral combined authorities’ and ‘mayoral combined county authorities’, although the latter terms are still used in legislation. The briefing uses the term ‘mayoral authorities’ to refer to combined and combined county authorities with mayors.