Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has held discussions with the West Midlands Mayor on increasing the level of devolved powers for local bus services.

In March 2023, HMG announced the agreement of the trailblazer devolution deal with the West Midlands Combined Authority, marking further progress in delivering our 2030 levelling up mission on local leadership and to enhancing transport connectivity across the country. The deal was the result of close working and frequent meetings between the West Midlands and the Department for Transport. This commits to the transfer of more control and influence to the WMCA including for local bus services – for example in relation to the Bus Service Operators Grant.