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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to progress strategic devolution in the South West.

We have already made progress on strategic devolution in the South West. Subject to parliamentary approval the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority will be established in early 2025, and the Cornwall non-mayoral Devolution Agreement is largely already implemented. We encourage the authorities to continue working together and with their neighbours to explore the next steps towards deeper and wider devolution for their area.

We are launching the Devolution Priority Programme, aiming to deliver new Strategic Authorities and see a wave of Mayors elected in May 2026. Regions interested in joining the Devolution Priority Programme have written to Government to express their interest. We are now reviewing proposals, and expect to confirm places on the Programme shortly.

However, I recognise that not all areas will be ready to move at such a pace towards mayoral devolution, and I look forward to working with such areas to help them to realise the benefits of devolution in due course.