Devolution white paper ‘a welcome commitment’ to more regional powers - Chamber

Business leaders have welcomed the government’s devolution white paper that will allow local authorities to “make more targeted interventions that better reflect the needs of the community”.

Significant plans to make devolution the “default setting” across a range of government policy areas were announced yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

In a speech to an audience of regional mayors, local government and business leaders, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the proposals in the English Devolution White Paper will put England’s regions centre stage and deliver on the government’s mission to grow the economy.

This includes the government’s target of building 1.5 million homes.

Measures announced in the white paper include new powers for mayors across strategic planning – giving them the ability to guide infrastructure and development projects across areas, housing, transport and skills.

The draft bill also sets out plans for mayors to have more control over the rail network.

Mayors will have a “clear right to request greater devolution of services, infrastructure, and station control where it would support a more integrated network”, the white paper states.

Other measures in the white paper include proposals to create ‘strategic authorities’ across England, bringing together councils over areas that people live and work in, to avoid duplication. 

Raj Kandola (pictured), director of external affairs at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Although widely trailed in advance, the announcement that more powers will be devolved to regional and local actors is likely to be welcomed by the business community.

“As we set out in the recommendations of our Business Commission West Midlands, shifting the dial on devolution offers the WMCA an opportunity to work in partnership with local authorities to make more targeted interventions that better reflect the needs of the community in order to unlock economic growth.

“The West Midlands has already benefitted from a trailblazer devolution deal and yesterday’s White Paper contained a welcome commitment to further widen the powers at the disposal of the mayor – for example, many will welcome the plans to integrate ticketing for transport as a sensible step forward.

“Nevertheless, much of the detail will need to be fleshed out – particularly around the initiative to streamline local government structures and how that will impact delivery models for businesses on the ground.

“As a Chamber, we look forward to working with the West Midlands mayor and the various local authorities in our sphere to ensure the voice of business remains central to the roll out of these plans in the coming months and years.”