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 paragraph 2.1.1 of her Department's English devolution white paper published on 16 December 2024, whether she will designate Surrey as a Foundation Strategic Authority.

The government confirmed we would progress with a non-mayoral single local authority agreement for Surrey in September 2024. Future designation is subject to wider timelines on the passage of the English Devolution Bill as well as next steps on local government reorganisation and to deepen devolution for the area.

Surrey are on the Local Government Reorganisation fast track to unlock devolution to the fastest possible timeline, to deepen and widen their existing devolution agreement and take strides towards mayoral devolution.