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Written question asked by Blake Stephenson (Conservative) on Monday, 27 January 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 January 2025. It was answered by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Monday, 3 February 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Local Government: Devolution

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.1 of her Department's English Devolution White Paper published 16 December 2024, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the creation of devolution island local authority areas on adjoining Mayoral Strategic Authorities.

Answer

The English Devolution White Paper sets out clear principles this Government will have regard to when considering proposals for new devolution agreements. This includes a new default assumption that proposals cover a combined population of 1.5 million or above to ensure they can deliver at a strategic scale, and must not create devolution ‘islands’ by leaving areas which are too small to go it alone or which do not have natural partners. There are a limited number of circumstances where it may be necessary to consider proposals that do not meet these principles, and Government will assess these proposals on a case-by-case basis.

All existing Combined Authorities, including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, will automatically be classified as Strategic Authorities. The Government will consider locally developed proposals for changes to existing Strategic Authority boundaries where they meet the principles set out the in the White Paper.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
26698
Session
2024-26
Related items
Local Government: Reorganisation
Wednesday, 12 February 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Devolution Local government
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk