Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the section entitled timelines and next steps of her Department’s letter to local councils of 16 December 2024 on the devolution white paper, what the methodological difference is between (a) areas that need reorganisation to unlock devolution and (b) areas that are minded-to join the Devolution Priority programme.

Reorganisation should not delay devolution. We will shortly set out which areas will be included in our Devolution Priority Programme, aimed at places ready to come together under the sensible geography criteria set out in the White Paper and wishing to progress to an accelerated timescale. This is with a view to inaugural mayoral elections in May 2026. However, places will be in different stages of their devolution journey.

While some will already have an existing strategic authority, others may be in the process of establishing one, and in other places reorganisation may be necessary to unlock devolution or open up new devolution options. Government is now reviewing responses to the 16 December letter and decisions will be made in due course.