An overview of local transport powers and responsibilities in England and proposed changes to these arrangements

An overview of local transport powers and responsibilities in England and proposed changes to these arrangements

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent progress she has made on devolution in areas with no plans for Mayors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent progress she has made on devolution in areas with no plans for Mayors.

The Chancellor presented his 2026 Budget to the Commons on 28 October, and the Office for Budget Responsibility published updated forecasts for the economy and public finances for the next five years.

The Chancellor presented his 2026 Budget to the Commons on 28 October, and the Office for Budget Responsibility published updated forecasts for the economy and public finances for the next five years.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will list the functions currently carried out by central government departments which will be transferred to local leaders as a result of devolution in England.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will list the functions currently carried out by central government departments which will be transferred to local leaders as a result of devolution in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether it is her government’s policy that a devolution deal for an area must be agreed with 100% agreement among all principal unitary authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether it is her government’s policy that a devolution deal for an area must be agreed with 100% agreement among all principal unitary authorities.

I think I am right in saying that the right hon. Gentleman’s constituency, like mine, relies very heavily on the tourist trade. That industry is on its knees gasping for air. It does not need breathing space; it needs help. There was nothing in the Budget for that industry.

I think I am right in saying that the right hon. Gentleman’s constituency, like mine, relies very heavily on the tourist trade. That industry is on its knees gasping for air. It does not need breathing space; it needs help. There was nothing in the Budget for that industry.

I am always grateful to hear from the right hon. Gentleman, whose constituency is in the region that I also represent. He may not have heard amid the noise in the Chamber at the time, but the south-east benefited quite considerably. In our part of the country, 47% of businesses...

I am always grateful to hear from the right hon. Gentleman, whose constituency is in the region that I also represent. He may not have heard amid the noise in the Chamber at the time, but the south-east benefited quite considerably. In our part of the country, 47% of businesses...

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

I will make some progress, because lots of Members want to speak, and I have not even got on to the main argument that I want to make.

There are real benefits from this Budget. In my constituency, the council tax rebate will impact positively on 42,000 homes. The same will...

I will make some progress, because lots of Members want to speak, and I have not even got on to the main argument that I want to make.

There are real benefits from this Budget. In my constituency, the council tax rebate will impact positively on 42,000 homes. The same will...

I agree with every word that the right hon. Gentleman just said about the need to focus on growth. The question is: how do we get it? It seems that too many on the Labour Benches believe that it is by Government intervention rather than reducing the taxes that create...

I agree with every word that the right hon. Gentleman just said about the need to focus on growth. The question is: how do we get it? It seems that too many on the Labour Benches believe that it is by Government intervention rather than reducing the taxes that create...

The right hon. Gentleman’s intervention was longer than my speech has been so far. When I find that I agree with every word that somebody is saying, I usually sit down and listen to a bit more of it rather than trying to challenge it. Perhaps the rest of my...

The right hon. Gentleman’s intervention was longer than my speech has been so far. When I find that I agree with every word that somebody is saying, I usually sit down and listen to a bit more of it rather than trying to challenge it. Perhaps the rest of my...

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

I will continue.

That is the difference that growth can make to our national security: it does not remove the need for difficult spending decisions today, but it can give us greater strength to sustain our defence into tomorrow.

I will continue.

That is the difference that growth can make to our national security: it does not remove the need for difficult spending decisions today, but it can give us greater strength to sustain our defence into tomorrow.

I agree with the right hon. Member that it would be great to grow the economy to achieve the 3.5% spend, but the Chancellor has today set out multibillion pound in-year cuts this year—we see that in particular in the resource departmental expenditure limit budget at about 0.5% next year—so...

I agree with the right hon. Member that it would be great to grow the economy to achieve the 3.5% spend, but the Chancellor has today set out multibillion pound in-year cuts this year—we see that in particular in the resource departmental expenditure limit budget at about 0.5% next year—so...

I agree. I realise that in seeking to make an intervention we stop listening to what is being said, but I did say before I gave way to the hon. Member that that would not be instead. I am not proposing that we look to start investing five years down...

I agree. I realise that in seeking to make an intervention we stop listening to what is being said, but I did say before I gave way to the hon. Member that that would not be instead. I am not proposing that we look to start investing five years down...

Legislating for growth?

Legislating for growth?

Well, we should certainly legislate to remove the barriers to growth, because some barriers require legislation. Let me illustrate that with one point.

When I was Secretary of State, I visited a fantastic company called Ocean Infinity down in Southampton, which is building and deploying globally—it is a global leader—autonomous marine...

Well, we should certainly legislate to remove the barriers to growth, because some barriers require legislation. Let me illustrate that with one point.

When I was Secretary of State, I visited a fantastic company called Ocean Infinity down in Southampton, which is building and deploying globally—it is a global leader—autonomous marine...

Would the right hon. Member back a national security exemption for regulations such as those he cited whereby, if what is being developed is clearly for our national security, health and safety and other regulations fall away to enable us to get that into the field quickly?

Would the right hon. Member back a national security exemption for regulations such as those he cited whereby, if what is being developed is clearly for our national security, health and safety and other regulations fall away to enable us to get that into the field quickly?

I am grateful for that constructive intervention. I am certainly in favour of looking at mechanisms for when we discover absurdities in the regulatory system. We know how long it takes to get legislation through the House or even introduced to the House as there are so many priorities, so...

I am grateful for that constructive intervention. I am certainly in favour of looking at mechanisms for when we discover absurdities in the regulatory system. We know how long it takes to get legislation through the House or even introduced to the House as there are so many priorities, so...

Will the right hon. Member give way?

Will the right hon. Member give way?

I will make some progress.

We also need a tax growth test, with outside experts reviewing all investment, hiring, innovation, revenue and incentives from HM Treasury and judging those against a growth test. That does not mean we would not still redistribute, invest and use tax in ways that are not...

I will make some progress.

We also need a tax growth test, with outside experts reviewing all investment, hiring, innovation, revenue and incentives from HM Treasury and judging those against a growth test. That does not mean we would not still redistribute, invest and use tax in ways that are not...

I refer hon. Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. It is a great pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Hove and Portslade (Peter Kyle), who was an excellent Business and Trade Secretary and a great loss to the Government when he stepped down....

I refer hon. Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. It is a great pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Hove and Portslade (Peter Kyle), who was an excellent Business and Trade Secretary and a great loss to the Government when he stepped down....

It is a great pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt). He gave a very thoughtful analysis—when he was not selling his book, but I am not going to accuse him of that being his primary reason. He mentioned breathing space. I do...

It is a great pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt). He gave a very thoughtful analysis—when he was not selling his book, but I am not going to accuse him of that being his primary reason. He mentioned breathing space. I do...

It is a pleasure to be able to contribute so early in this debate. I speak as a former Treasury Minister in the previous Government who sat behind four Chancellors in different scenarios. I acknowledge the enormous challenge that every Chancellor faces in trying to reconcile so many competing pressures,...

It is a pleasure to be able to contribute so early in this debate. I speak as a former Treasury Minister in the previous Government who sat behind four Chancellors in different scenarios. I acknowledge the enormous challenge that every Chancellor faces in trying to reconcile so many competing pressures,...

Would the right hon. Member care to ask that business owner about the potential impact of the reduction in business rates for nearly 70,000 small businesses?

Would the right hon. Member care to ask that business owner about the potential impact of the reduction in business rates for nearly 70,000 small businesses?

Yes, a small measure like that will make some impact, but we need to look at the context—at what we have seen previously. As the hon. Gentleman will know, the manifesto he stood on two years ago implied a modest increase in taxes of about £7 billion, and we actually...

Yes, a small measure like that will make some impact, but we need to look at the context—at what we have seen previously. As the hon. Gentleman will know, the manifesto he stood on two years ago implied a modest increase in taxes of about £7 billion, and we actually...

I respect the right hon. Gentleman’s experience, and the tone in which he is delivering his speech. However, on the point of credibility, I would gently ask him this question. In April 2024, the Conservative Government committed to a target for defence spending in 2030—that target was, of course, 2.5%....

I respect the right hon. Gentleman’s experience, and the tone in which he is delivering his speech. However, on the point of credibility, I would gently ask him this question. In April 2024, the Conservative Government committed to a target for defence spending in 2030—that target was, of course, 2.5%....

Of course I recognise the mistakes and choices made in previous Governments, but as I was trying to indicate, the world has materially changed since the general election—I think that is pretty obvious to most people, given what is happening in geopolitics—and that necessitates a suitable response from the Government....

Of course I recognise the mistakes and choices made in previous Governments, but as I was trying to indicate, the world has materially changed since the general election—I think that is pretty obvious to most people, given what is happening in geopolitics—and that necessitates a suitable response from the Government....

Well, I am going to start by commending the Chancellor for what I thought was a Budget that is going to leave our country richer, fairer, stronger and safer. It has been my privilege to know the Chancellor for many years, and over the course of those years, he has...

Well, I am going to start by commending the Chancellor for what I thought was a Budget that is going to leave our country richer, fairer, stronger and safer. It has been my privilege to know the Chancellor for many years, and over the course of those years, he has...

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

I am not giving way.

Crucially, the OBR says today that GDP growth is now structural, therefore raising the potential for output growth over the course of years to come. Of course, that is helping the Chancellor to deliver the fastest fiscal consolidation in the G20.

I want to use the time...

I am not giving way.

Crucially, the OBR says today that GDP growth is now structural, therefore raising the potential for output growth over the course of years to come. Of course, that is helping the Chancellor to deliver the fastest fiscal consolidation in the G20.

I want to use the time...

I welcome much of what the Chancellor has shared today, but I believe that the Budget falls short in several areas.

In Epsom and Ewell, hard-working people are being stretched in all directions. One constituent has shared how, even though she is earning more than ever before, she just cannot keep...

I welcome much of what the Chancellor has shared today, but I believe that the Budget falls short in several areas.

In Epsom and Ewell, hard-working people are being stretched in all directions. One constituent has shared how, even though she is earning more than ever before, she just cannot keep...

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire). There is much to be welcomed in today’s Budget speech. For me, it was solid but not flashy—it was from the man who has HP Sauce on his sandwich, rather than pesto alla Genovese or...

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Helen Maguire). There is much to be welcomed in today’s Budget speech. For me, it was solid but not flashy—it was from the man who has HP Sauce on his sandwich, rather than pesto alla Genovese or...

It is always a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Hornsey and Friern Barnet (Catherine West).

I believe that this is the cut-and-run Budget. Indeed, I read in the papers this morning that the Liberal Democrats—currently occupying the two front Benches below the Gangway—have taken the hint as well and...

It is always a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Hornsey and Friern Barnet (Catherine West).

I believe that this is the cut-and-run Budget. Indeed, I read in the papers this morning that the Liberal Democrats—currently occupying the two front Benches below the Gangway—have taken the hint as well and...

So is the right hon. Gentleman’s main criticism of this Budget that it is too popular? [Interruption.]

So is the right hon. Gentleman’s main criticism of this Budget that it is too popular? [Interruption.]

I will certainly address the hon. Gentleman’s question. This Budget is certainly not popular with me—I have interests, which are set out in the register.

The difficulty is that, in the absence of the spending review and any clear appetite to deal with the £3 trillion debt, the burgeoning growth of...

I will certainly address the hon. Gentleman’s question. This Budget is certainly not popular with me—I have interests, which are set out in the register.

The difficulty is that, in the absence of the spending review and any clear appetite to deal with the £3 trillion debt, the burgeoning growth of...

It is a pleasure, I think, to follow the right hon. Member for New Forest West (Sir Desmond Swayne), but may I challenge a couple of his points? He talked about the risk of higher mortgages. I might remind him that there have been six interest rate cuts since 2024,...

It is a pleasure, I think, to follow the right hon. Member for New Forest West (Sir Desmond Swayne), but may I challenge a couple of his points? He talked about the risk of higher mortgages. I might remind him that there have been six interest rate cuts since 2024,...

We have had devolution since the Blair Government, and Wales has become one of the poorest parts of the whole of Europe, although it has had serious and real fiscal devolution. If it has been so spectacularly painful for the residents of Wales to have such devolution, why does the...

We have had devolution since the Blair Government, and Wales has become one of the poorest parts of the whole of Europe, although it has had serious and real fiscal devolution. If it has been so spectacularly painful for the residents of Wales to have such devolution, why does the...

I think there is an important debate to be had about how we make sure that fiscal devolution is successful and what the enabling factors are, but it has been successful elsewhere. As the right hon. Member will recognise, I was pleased as a London MP to see today’s commitments...

I think there is an important debate to be had about how we make sure that fiscal devolution is successful and what the enabling factors are, but it has been successful elsewhere. As the right hon. Member will recognise, I was pleased as a London MP to see today’s commitments...

People desperately need support with the cost of living. They do not need brown sauce, gherkins or marmalade; they need help with the cost of living.

If we look at the documents the Chancellor produced today, he is less likely to hit his fiscal rules than the previous Chancellor was. That...

People desperately need support with the cost of living. They do not need brown sauce, gherkins or marmalade; they need help with the cost of living.

If we look at the documents the Chancellor produced today, he is less likely to hit his fiscal rules than the previous Chancellor was. That...

The Budget will continue to make Britain more resilient, by supporting people and businesses in the current moment and investing in the future. In an increasingly uncertain and changing world, this Government are steadying the ship. The Budget will help families with the pressures they face now and invest in...

The Budget will continue to make Britain more resilient, by supporting people and businesses in the current moment and investing in the future. In an increasingly uncertain and changing world, this Government are steadying the ship. The Budget will help families with the pressures they face now and invest in...

I’m here!

I’m here!

I was under the impression that the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage) was still the leader of the Reform party. Why did he bother seeking re-election? He never turns up to this place. He is mystifying.

There is so much more to be done. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and...

I was under the impression that the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage) was still the leader of the Reform party. Why did he bother seeking re-election? He never turns up to this place. He is mystifying.

There is so much more to be done. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and...

Poorer—that is what every household in the country is, including in my constituency of Boston and Skegness. This year alone, real household disposable income is down 0.8%, and every single year between now and the end of this parliamentary term, the average household’s real disposable income is down compared to...

Poorer—that is what every household in the country is, including in my constituency of Boston and Skegness. This year alone, real household disposable income is down 0.8%, and every single year between now and the end of this parliamentary term, the average household’s real disposable income is down compared to...

The hon. Member seems to be extolling the benefits of building houses, so can he explain why the Reform party in Tunbridge Wells is campaigning to restrict house building?

The hon. Member seems to be extolling the benefits of building houses, so can he explain why the Reform party in Tunbridge Wells is campaigning to restrict house building?

Far from it—we are actually trying to build more houses on brownfield sites, because that is what we should do all over the country, including in the great town of Tunbridge Wells. We need to make it easier to build on brownfield sites. At the moment, house builders are giving...

Far from it—we are actually trying to build more houses on brownfield sites, because that is what we should do all over the country, including in the great town of Tunbridge Wells. We need to make it easier to build on brownfield sites. At the moment, house builders are giving...

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Richard Tice), though I disagree with the vast majority, if not all, of what he said. As we have seen, growth is running at about 2.1%. We have not seen that economic performance for about 10 years,...

It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Richard Tice), though I disagree with the vast majority, if not all, of what he said. As we have seen, growth is running at about 2.1%. We have not seen that economic performance for about 10 years,...

It is a pleasure to take part in this Budget debate and to follow the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western). Like him, I tend to think that this Budget reflects the seriousness and the vision of the Chancellor, but unlike him, I do not conclude from that...

It is a pleasure to take part in this Budget debate and to follow the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western). Like him, I tend to think that this Budget reflects the seriousness and the vision of the Chancellor, but unlike him, I do not conclude from that...

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give way?

I will happily give way to the hon. Gentleman in a moment. I am sure that, when he meets young people in his constituency, he is exactly the same as me. I am sure he meets more and more young people who feel a sense of hopelessness. They feel that...

I will happily give way to the hon. Gentleman in a moment. I am sure that, when he meets young people in his constituency, he is exactly the same as me. I am sure he meets more and more young people who feel a sense of hopelessness. They feel that...

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his kind words, but does he appreciate that, in the south-west at least, 56% of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will be lifted out of the business rates system entirely? Is that welcome news to him? I hope he has some welcome news...

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his kind words, but does he appreciate that, in the south-west at least, 56% of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will be lifted out of the business rates system entirely? Is that welcome news to him? I hope he has some welcome news...

I think—I am not an expert on this, let alone on all those jobs in the hon. Gentleman’s region—that most are already outside of that system and are therefore not being lifted out. UKHospitality has suggested that as few as 10% of these businesses will be affected by the measure....

I think—I am not an expert on this, let alone on all those jobs in the hon. Gentleman’s region—that most are already outside of that system and are therefore not being lifted out. UKHospitality has suggested that as few as 10% of these businesses will be affected by the measure....

I thank the right hon. Member for giving way during his discussion about banks. Is he aware that Barclays’ profits are up by 1.6%?

I thank the right hon. Member for giving way during his discussion about banks. Is he aware that Barclays’ profits are up by 1.6%?

I am delighted. Only one thing is worse than fat, greedy, complacent, lazy banks—if that is how the hon. Member wants to characterise them—and that is broke ones, because once we have a bust banking system, the whole of society is stuffed. People cannot get on the housing ladder, start...

I am delighted. Only one thing is worse than fat, greedy, complacent, lazy banks—if that is how the hon. Member wants to characterise them—and that is broke ones, because once we have a bust banking system, the whole of society is stuffed. People cannot get on the housing ladder, start...

rose—

rose—

I will not give way if the hon. Member will allow me.

What is happening to business investment next year? According to the Government’s own figures, it is falling. What is happening to the debt of the nation as a result of today’s Budget, compared with the position earlier in the...

I will not give way if the hon. Member will allow me.

What is happening to business investment next year? According to the Government’s own figures, it is falling. What is happening to the debt of the nation as a result of today’s Budget, compared with the position earlier in the...