English Devolution Bill Explained

Short Title:	English Devolution Bill
Type:	Bill
Parliament:	Parliament of the United Kingdom
Related Legislation:	Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 Localism Act 2011 Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023

The English Devolution Bill is a proposed UK Government bill which will establish a new framework for devolution of powers to local government and combined authorities in England.^{[1] [2]}

Background

See main article: Devolution in the United Kingdom and Combined authority. Powers were devolved to varying degrees to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by Tony Blair's Labour government in the late 1990s through the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly. A devolved legislature and government was not created for England, which remained under the full jurisdiction of the United Kingdom parliament and government based in Westminster.

A strategic local authority for Greater London, known as the Greater London Authority (GLA) was established in 2000. Plans for elected regional assemblies in the eight English regions outside Greater London were abandoned following an unsuccessful referendum held in the North East region in 2004. Instead sub-regional combined authorities were gradually established, starting in 2011, under the terms of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and Localism Act 2011. Initially combined authorities were led by boards of local authority leaders. The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016, allowed for the creation of directly elected mayors to lead combined authorities. Further competencies were granted to combined authorities by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. By May 2024, eleven combined authorities had been established in England, with additional proposals in development. Combined authority leaders and the mayor of London regularly meet with UK government ministers through the Mayoral Council for England and Council of Nations and Regions, which were established in October 2024.

Plans for an English Devolution Bill were outlined in the King's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in July 2024.^[3]

White Paper

An English Devolution White Paper is due to be published in December 2024, outlining key provisions expected in the English Devolution Bill.^{[4] [5]}

Proposals

• Structural changes to local government in England are anticipated to be included in the white paper.^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: King's Speech 2024 – English Devolution Bill. PolicyMogul. 17 July 2024.
2. News: Paul . Seddon . Key points in King's Speech at a glance . 15 July 2024 . BBC News . 17 July 2024.
3. Web site: The King's Speech 2024. July 17, 2024. GOV.UK.
4. 10 October 2024. Deputy Prime Minister launches first-ever Mayoral Council. GOV.UK.
5. Web site: English Devolution White Paper to set out how councils will “move to simpler structures”, Autumn Budget reveals. Adam. Carey. October 30, 2024. Local Government Lawyer.
6. Web site: Host of councils reportedly set to be axed in local government restructure. Insider Media. November 25, 2024.
7. Web site: Labour to abolish 'dozens' of councils in biggest reform for a generation. LBC. Henry. Moore. 25 November 2024.
8. Web site: Can England’s new breed of mayors help fix its left-behind regions?. Jennifer. Williams. December 2, 2024. Financial Times.
9. Web site: Devolution white paper 'by the end of the year'. Caitlin. Webb. December 3, 2024. Local Government Chronicle.