WHAT IS DEVOLUTION?
🏛️ Devolution is the transfer of power away from Whitehall and into the hands of local leaders, such as mayors.
📍 Right now, the UK is overcentralised, with too many decisions made in Whitehall instead of in the towns and cities they affect.
📉 This has held back local economies and stopped places from reaching their full potential.
🤝 Devolution means decisions about your area get made by the people who understand their communities best.
🔑New powers being given to local leaders will give communities greater control over the decisions that shape jobs, transport, housing and public services in their area, as well as a share of income tax revenues for the first time.
DEVOLUTION IN ACTION
🚆 Devolution means five new train stations opening in the West Midlands, a key North East train line reopening to help local commuters get where they need to go, and buses being brought back under public control to be run for local people - not for profit.
🏗️ Devolution means regeneration that transforms town and city centres and restores a sense of pride, like the £100 million the West Midlands Mayor is investing in Coventry city centre.
🎓 Devolution means skills programmes tailored to local needs, such as in the North East, 65,000 residents have been supported to gain qualifications, opening up new employment opportunities in sectors including construction and childcare.
🤝 Devolution means empowering local leaders to deliver for their communities - from buses and housebuilding, to skills and opportunities. Devolution is at the heart of each one.
👥We currently have 14 mayors across England including in South Yorkshire, West of England and the East Midlands who are leading the front in terms of driving investment.
WHAT WE'RE ANNOUNCING TODAY
💰 Today marks the next crucial step in rewiring the country, putting power back in the hands of local people.
📣The Prime Minister has announced that Mayors will receive a share of income tax for the first time.
📈 And from next spring, mayors will also keep a greater share of locally generated revenues, starting with business rates.
🏙️ This means when places create jobs and grow their economies, they will now keep more of the rewards, giving local leaders new powers to invest in what matters most locally.
The Prime Minister has also announced further devolution of new powers including:
🚊Getting local transport schemes, trams and metros built faster by removing Whitehall barriers and speeding up approvals.
💡Backing local industries and innovative businesses, and attract investment, creating more well-paid jobs.
🏠 Building more homes where they're needed and unlocking stalled development sites.
AND WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO ME?
🚀 We've made huge steps forward in our devolution revolution, as we shift more power away from Westminster and into our communities.
🤝 We want to ensure local people continue to feel the benefits of devolution in their everyday lives. These benefits include:
🚌 Better transport
More control over rail and bus services means Mayors can crack on with the projects their areas need the most, helping communities stay connected. In the Liverpool City Region, Tap and Go has been rolled out on Merseyrail, with the rail service set to return to public control in 2028.
💼 More local opportunities
Mayors gaining more control over skills and employment support, including 16-19 funding, to help drive local job growth. This will let young people train for jobs employers need and give people out of work tailored support back into employment.
🏥 Better healthcare
In South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, local leaders already have more control and accountability over how health services are run, so people get the healthcare they need, when they need it.
🏠 Unlocking new housing
Mayors using their powers to unlock more homes for their communities. In West Yorkshire, for example, a £334 million investment fund is helping to unlock land for development and back stalled sites, paving the way for thousands of new homes.
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