English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26 Alert Sample


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View the Parallel Parliament page for the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26

Information since 16 May 2025, 9:53 a.m.


Publications and Debates

Date Type Title
16th October 2025 Committee stage
14th October 2025 Committee stage
17th September 2025 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 17 September 2025
16th September 2025 Committee stage: 1st sitting
16th September 2025 Committee stage: 2nd sitting
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by South East Climate Alliance (EDCEB12)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Better Planning Coalition (BPC) (EDCEB01)
16th September 2025 Bill proceedings: Commons All proceedings up to 16 September 2025 at Public Bill Committee Stage
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by The Wildlife Trusts (EDCEB04)
16th September 2025 Amendment Paper Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 16 September 2025
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Sir David Lidington and Prof John Denham (EDCEB05)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Iliffe Media Group (EDCEB06)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Healthy Air Coalition (EDCEB09)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) (EDCEB13)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by It's Our City! (EDCEB11)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by The Heritage Alliance (EDCEB10)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the British Property Federation (BPF) (EDCEB08)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by News Media Association (EDCEB07)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Grant Thornton (EDCEB03)
16th September 2025 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by UK100 (EDCEB02)
15th September 2025 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 15 September 2025
12th September 2025 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 12 September 2025
11th September 2025 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 11 September 2025
9th September 2025 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 9 September 2025
5th September 2025 Press notices English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: call for evidence
5th September 2025 Press notices English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: call for evidence
2nd September 2025 2nd reading
2nd September 2025 Money resolution
2nd September 2025 Ways and Means resolution
2nd September 2025 Programme motion
20th August 2025 Briefing papers English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-25
10th July 2025 1st reading
10th July 2025 Explanatory Notes Bill 283 EN 2024-25
10th July 2025 Explanatory Notes Bill 283 EN 2024-25 - large print
10th July 2025 Delegated Powers Memorandum Delegated Powers memorandum from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
10th July 2025 Human rights memorandum Human Rights Memorandum
10th July 2025 Impact Assessments Equality Impact Assessment from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
10th July 2025 Impact Assessments Regulatory Policy Impact assessment from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
10th July 2025 Bill Bill 283 2024-25 (as introduced) - large print
10th July 2025 Bill Bill 283 2024-25 (as introduced) - xml download
10th July 2025 Bill Bill 283 2024-25 (as introduced)

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26 mentioned

Live Transcript

Note: Cited speaker in live transcript data may not always be accurate. Check video link to confirm.

2 Sep 2025, 2 p.m. - House of Commons
"issue, it feels like there is an opportunity this afternoon. Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. The opportunity "
Lisa Smart MP (Hazel Grove, Liberal Democrat) - View Video - View Transcript
2 Sep 2025, 3:19 p.m. - House of Commons
"The English devolution and community empowerment bill. It is a title... It is a title straight out of the "
Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Ashton-under-Lyne, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
2 Sep 2025, 2:51 p.m. - House of Commons
"stake in their place and share in our country's success. Our landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will deliver this "
Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Ashton-under-Lyne, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
4 Sep 2025, 1:21 p.m. - House of Lords
"plans, that is coming forward in the English devolution and community empowerment bill. I look forward to "
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
4 Sep 2025, 7:02 p.m. - House of Lords
"should be included as well, I'm aware that clause 60 of the English devolution and community empowerment bill which has had its second "
Amendment 112 - View Video - View Transcript
4 Sep 2025, 7:30 p.m. - House of Lords
"will be aware the government has recently introduced English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill which contains new provisions "
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
10 Sep 2025, 1:29 a.m. - House of Lords
"responsibility to produce strategic plans and the English devolution and community empowerment bill says "
Lord Lansley (Conservative) - View Video - View Transcript
11 Sep 2025, 6:56 p.m. - House of Lords
"the English devolution and community empowerment bill currently in the other place are also legislating to give mayors of strategic authorities "
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Labour) - View Video - View Transcript


Calendar
Thursday 16th October 2025 11:30 a.m.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Thursday 16th October 2025 2 p.m.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Tuesday 14th October 2025 9:25 a.m.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Tuesday 14th October 2025 2 p.m.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Tuesday 16th September 2025 2 p.m.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Oral evidence
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
At 2:00pm: Oral evidence
Tracy Brabin - Mayor at West Yorkshire Combined Authority
The Lord Houchen of High Leven - Mayor at Tees Valley Combined Authority
Donna Jones - Police and Crime Commissioner at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
At 2:40pm: Oral evidence
Andrew Goodacre - CEO at British Independent Retailers Association
Allen Simpson - Deputy Chief Executive at UKHospitality
At 3:10pm: Oral evidence
Gareth Davies - Comptroller and Auditor General at National Audit Office
Bill Butler - Chair at Public Sector Audit Appointments
At 3:40pm: Oral evidence
Mark Stocks - Head of Public Sector Assurance at Grant Thornton UK LLP
At 4:00pm: Oral evidence
Zoe Billingham - Director at IPPR North
Professor John Denham
At 4:30pm: Oral evidence
Richard Hebditch - Coalition Coordinator at Better Planning Coalition
Ms Naomi Luhde-Thompson - Member of the Better Planning Coalition steering group and Director of Rights Community Action at Better Planning Coalition
At 4:50pm: Oral evidence
Sacha Bedding MBE - Chief Executive of Wharton Trust Member of Locality at Locality
At 5:10pm: Oral evidence
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View calendar - Add to calendar
Tuesday 16th September 2025 9:25 a.m.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Oral evidence
Subject: To consider the Bill
At 9:25am: Oral evidence
Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen - Chair at District Councils’ Network
Justin Griggs - Head of Policy and Communications at National Association of Local Councils (NALC)
At 9:55am: Oral evidence
Councillor Bev Craig - Labour Group lead and LGA Vice-Chair at Local Government Association (LGA)
Councillor Kevin Bentley - Leader of Essex County Council and Council Conservative Group Leader and LGA Senior Vice-Chairman at Local Government Association (LGA)
Councillor Matthew Hicks - Chair at County Councils Network
At 10:25am: Oral evidence
Ion Fletcher - Director of Policy (Finance and Regulation) at British Property Federation
Catriona Riddell - Director at Catriona Riddell & Associates Ltd
At 10:55am: Oral evidence
Nick Plumb - Policy Director at Power to Change
Robbie Whittaker - Member of the FSA National Council (Member of the Blackpool Supporters Trust) at Football Supporters Association
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Monday 15th September 2025 6 p.m.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Programming Sub Committee - Private Meeting - General Committee
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Parliamentary Debates
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (First sitting)
76 speeches (16,934 words)
Committee stage: 1st sitting
Tuesday 16th September 2025 - Public Bill Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: David Simmonds (Con - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) The title of the Bill is the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. - Link to Speech

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (Second sitting)
118 speeches (31,090 words)
Committee stage: 2nd sitting
Tuesday 16th September 2025 - Public Bill Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: David Simmonds (Con - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) two major pieces of legislation: the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

International Day of Democracy
63 speeches (13,667 words)
Tuesday 16th September 2025 - Westminster Hall
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Mentions:
1: Rachel Blake (LAB - Cities of London and Westminster) also need to push power to our communities and neighbourhoods with the landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Planning and Infrastructure Bill
229 speeches (67,513 words)
Committee stage
Monday 15th September 2025 - Lords Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Lord Lansley (Con - Life peer) available to the London mayor.I then found, when the Government published the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech
2: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will enable strategic authorities to create more - Link to Speech

Regional Transport Inequality
111 speeches (19,959 words)
Thursday 11th September 2025 - Commons Chamber
Department for Transport
Mentions:
1: Alex Mayer (Lab - Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard) I very much welcome clause 25 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which will allow - Link to Speech

Planning and Infrastructure Bill
192 speeches (54,040 words)
Committee stage
Thursday 11th September 2025 - Lords Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Lord Lansley (Con - Life peer) The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill presently in the other place, in Clause 58, provides - Link to Speech
2: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) His point about provisions for support to neighbourhood governance in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech
3: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) housing alongside necessary infrastructure and accessible green space.Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Planning and Infrastructure Bill
101 speeches (34,622 words)
Committee stage part one
Tuesday 9th September 2025 - Lords Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) of strategic importance to the area.The noble Lord, Lord Crisp, mentioned the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Housing: North Staffordshire
21 speeches (4,762 words)
Tuesday 9th September 2025 - Westminster Hall
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Allison Gardner (Lab - Stoke-on-Trent South) update on the status of the community right to buy, which was announced in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech
2: Matthew Pennycook (Lab - Greenwich and Woolwich) She rightly mentioned the provisions in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which - Link to Speech

Remote Coastal Communities
42 speeches (6,443 words)
Monday 8th September 2025 - Commons Chamber
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Mentions:
1: Andrew George (LD - St Ives) Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, emphasised—and I know he will be serving on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Business of the House
194 speeches (17,047 words)
Thursday 4th September 2025 - Commons Chamber
Leader of the House
Mentions:
1: Lucy Powell (LAB - Manchester Central) We had the Second Reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill this week, and we - Link to Speech

Pension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)
94 speeches (17,054 words)
Committee stage: 3rd sitting
Thursday 4th September 2025 - Public Bill Committees
Department for Work and Pensions
Mentions:
1: Torsten Bell (Lab - Swansea West) provision, for England the definition of strategic authorities matches that in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Planning and Infrastructure Bill
170 speeches (52,648 words)
Committee stage
Thursday 4th September 2025 - Lords Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) further change in introducing the strategic plans—that is coming forward in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech
2: None I am aware of Clause 60 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which has had its Second - Link to Speech
3: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) decisions.Noble Lords will be aware the Government have recently introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Local Audit (Amendment of Definition of Smaller Authority) Regulations 2025
19 speeches (4,787 words)
Wednesday 3rd September 2025 - Grand Committee
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) Subject to parliamentary approval of the audit measures set out in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech
2: Lord Sikka (Lab - Life peer) I look forward to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill when it comes, but meanwhile - Link to Speech
3: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) Much of that is contained in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. - Link to Speech
4: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) Once the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill goes through, and it is very clear to everybody - Link to Speech

Buckinghamshire Council, Surrey County Council and Warwickshire County Council (Housing and Regeneration Functions) Regulations 2025
5 speeches (1,190 words)
Wednesday 3rd September 2025 - Grand Committee
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Lord Jamieson (Con - Life peer) As the Government prepare to introduce the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we would - Link to Speech
2: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) points about the integration of these proposals with what is happening with the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
56 speeches (9,208 words)
Tuesday 2nd September 2025 - Commons Chamber
Home Office
Mentions:
1: Lisa Smart (LD - Hazel Grove) It feels like there is an opportunity to do so this afternoon through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
202 speeches (38,092 words)
2nd reading
Tuesday 2nd September 2025 - Commons Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Paul Foster (Lab - South Ribble) I rise to support the Second Reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which - Link to Speech
2: Noah Law (Lab - St Austell and Newquay) That is why the arrival of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has been watched in - Link to Speech
3: Bayo Alaba (Lab - Southend East and Rochford) The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill presents a great opportunity for Southend East - Link to Speech
4: Jim McMahon (LAB - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill does exactly what its title says. - Link to Speech

Draft Local Audit (Amendment of Definition of Smaller Authority) Regulations 2025
7 speeches (1,486 words)
Monday 1st September 2025 - General Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Jim McMahon (LAB - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) My Department has included measures in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to resolve - Link to Speech

Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment
116 speeches (35,223 words)
Tuesday 22nd July 2025 - Commons Chamber

Mentions:
1: Jayne Kirkham (LAB - Truro and Falmouth) I welcome community right to buy, which will be forthcoming in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Strategy for Elections
67 speeches (5,974 words)
Thursday 17th July 2025 - Commons Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Alex Sobel (LAB - Leeds Central and Headingley) I also welcome the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced last week, with the - Link to Speech

Planning and Infrastructure Bill
96 speeches (28,662 words)
Committee stage part two
Thursday 17th July 2025 - Lords Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) That is an important dimension that sits alongside our English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Devolution Priority Programme
1 speech (681 words)
Thursday 17th July 2025 - Written Statements
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Jim McMahon (LAB - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) The recently tabled English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill would move future mayoral elections - Link to Speech

Business of the House
111 speeches (14,309 words)
Thursday 17th July 2025 - Commons Chamber
Leader of the House
Mentions:
1: Lucy Powell (LAB - Manchester Central) On the community efforts to keep it open, last week we introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Rutland Lieutenancy
20 speeches (1,443 words)
Tuesday 15th July 2025 - Lords Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD - Life peer) I have just been reading the newly published English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill; I have - Link to Speech

Oral Answers to Questions
182 speeches (11,952 words)
Monday 14th July 2025 - Commons Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Angela Rayner (Lab - Ashton-under-Lyne) I was pleased that the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill had its First Reading last Thursday - Link to Speech
2: Sarah Olney (LD - Richmond Park) I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues welcome the provisions in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Business of the House
104 speeches (12,024 words)
Thursday 10th July 2025 - Commons Chamber
Leader of the House
Mentions:
1: Lucy Powell (LAB - Manchester Central) That is exactly what we will be doing when we introduce the English devolution and community empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Bill Presented
0 speeches (None words)
Thursday 10th July 2025 - Commons Chamber
London’s National Economic Contribution
39 speeches (14,064 words)
Thursday 10th July 2025 - Westminster Hall
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Alex Norris (LAB - Nottingham North and Kimberley) Friend the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Link to Speech

Draft Buckinghamshire Council, Surrey County Council and Warwickshire County Council (Housing and Regeneration Functions) Regulations 2025
11 speeches (2,076 words)
Wednesday 9th July 2025 - General Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Jim McMahon (LAB - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) and we want to ensure that—notwithstanding the transition period following the English devolution and community empowerment Bill - Link to Speech
2: Jim McMahon (LAB - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) We are in a period of transition and are about to table the English devolution and community empowerment Bill - Link to Speech



Select Committee Documents
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Report - 6th Report - Further Education and Skills

Education Committee

Found: It is disappointing that the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill limits the devolution

Wednesday 17th September 2025
Written Evidence - Transport for London
TPV0106 - Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles

Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles - Transport Committee

Found: For shared e-bikes, TfL welcomes the introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

Tuesday 16th September 2025
Oral Evidence - Gloucester City Council, Power to Change, and Greystar

Small business strategy - Business and Trade Committee

Found: One of the things that you are referring to may be the provision in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

Tuesday 16th September 2025
Written Evidence - Newcastle University
HEF0046 - Higher Education and Funding: Threat of Insolvency and International Students

Higher Education and Funding: Threat of Insolvency and International Student - Education Committee

Found: The recent introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill reaffirms the Government

Thursday 4th September 2025
Correspondence - Letter from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution relating to local audit reform and the publication on Whole of Government Accounts 2023-24, 17 July 2025

Public Accounts Committee

Found: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced on 10 July, will establish the LAO

Wednesday 3rd September 2025
Oral Evidence - CoMoUK, Zipcar UK, Liftshare, and Hiyacar

Transport Committee

Found: I think that the steps this Government have taken in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

Wednesday 3rd September 2025
Correspondence - Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport relating to plans for micromobility, dated 23 July 2025

Transport Committee

Found: Finally, you may have noted the introduction to the UK Parliament last week the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

Wednesday 23rd July 2025
Correspondence - Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport relating to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, dated 10 July 2025

Transport Committee

Found: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport relating to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill



Written Answers
Local Government: Reform
Asked by: Lord Grocott (Labour - Life peer)
Tuesday 23rd September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much has been spent to date by (1) the local authorities involved, and (2) His Majesty's Government, in preparing to reform local government in accordance with the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government does not centrally hold information about how much local authorities and the Government have spent on preparing for the reform of local government.

A full impact assessment has been conducted by the Government as part of the requirements for the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. It was given a green rating by the Regulatory Policy Committee, indicating it is fit for purpose. The IA has considered costs across the Bill’s policies which will reform local government, and it has been determined these will not be disproportionate and the relevant mitigations will be in place where required. The impact assessment has been published online and can be found here.

Pedestrian Areas: Visual Impairment
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Thursday 18th September 2025

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress her Department has made on improving the (a) safety and (b) accessibility of streets for blind and partially sighted pedestrians.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Local authorities have a legal responsibility to manage their roads and public spaces in a way that meets the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) under the Equality Act 2010. It is for them to ensure that their streets are designed and maintained in a way that takes account of the needs of everyone, including visually impaired people.

The Government has produced good practice guidance to help them in this, and this is available at

www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mobility-making-transport-accessible-for-passengers-and-pedestrians

The Government recognises the problems that blind and partially sighted pedestrians can face when motorists park on pavements, and when e-scooters and e-bikes are left blocking pavements. It will make an announcement shortly on next steps on pavement parking, following the 2020 consultation, and is introducing new regulatory powers through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to help local authorities manage shared micromobility schemes more effectively.

Devolution
Asked by: Peter Fortune (Conservative - Bromley and Biggin Hill)
Wednesday 17th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, when the working group jointly sponsored by his Department and the Greater London Authority will publish its conclusions.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London.

It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London.

The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Devolution
Asked by: Peter Fortune (Conservative - Bromley and Biggin Hill)
Wednesday 17th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether he plans to amend the Greater London Authority's powers.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London.

It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London.

The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Devolution
Asked by: Peter Fortune (Conservative - Bromley and Biggin Hill)
Wednesday 17th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, which global city authorities his Department plans to consider.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London.

It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London.

The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Devolution
Asked by: Peter Fortune (Conservative - Bromley and Biggin Hill)
Wednesday 17th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, how many times the new working group sponsored jointly by her Department and the Greater London Authority has met.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London.

It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London.

The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Local Government: Workplace Pensions
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Tuesday 16th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress she has made on reforming the Local Government Pension Scheme to consider local growth priorities in investment strategies.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Pension Schemes Bill includes a new power to require Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds to include their approach to local investment in their investment strategies. The Pensions Schemes Bill and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill also include new reciprocal duties on LGPS funds and strategic authorities to cooperate to identify and develop appropriate local investment opportunities. Wider reforms including consolidation of all LGPS assets in the LGPS asset pools and improved governance will also support LGPS investment in local and regional growth priorities.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Tuesday 16th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2025 to Question 44234 on Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners, what her planned timetable is for incorporating the policing powers of the Police and Crime Commissioners in (a) Suffolk and (b) Norfolk into the powers of the new combined authority mayor; and how this process will interact with the passage of (i) the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and (ii) associated secondary legislation.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will provide a route to allow a single Mayor to be the Police and Crime Commissioner for two or more Police areas, provided that there are coterminous boundaries between the Strategic Authority and the Police areas when taken together. All future transfers of Police and Crime Commissioner functions will take place via powers in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and will be subject to a confirmatory Statutory Instrument which will set out the date of transfer.

In Suffolk and Norfolk, we expect the Strategic Authority to be set up and inaugural Mayoral elections to be held in 2026 with the transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner functions for the start of the financial year in 2027.

Sheffield City Council
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Tuesday 16th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with Sheffield City Council on the proposed change to a Cabinet governance system.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I have not discussed with Sheffield City Council the measures in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill relating to local authority governance models. I am, of course, very happy to listen to views on all provisions within the Bill as it progresses through Parliament.

Housing: Construction
Asked by: John Milne (Liberal Democrat - Horsham)
Monday 15th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65505 on Housing: Construction, what her planned timetable is for improving the system of developer contributions.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has already taken important steps to strengthen the system of developer contributions. This includes the introduction of new ‘Golden Rules’ for major development involving the provision of housing on land within or released from the Green Belt, and other changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published in December 2024 which will support the increased provision of affordable housing and infrastructure.

The government is taking further action by giving all mayors of strategic authorities the power to raise a Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

We have also committed to updating the planning practice guidance on viability to ensure that the system works to optimise developer contributions, allowing negotiation only where genuinely necessary.

Details of any further changes to strengthen the system of developer contributions will be set out in due course.

Local Government: Elections
Asked by: Adrian Ramsay (Green Party - Waveney Valley)
Friday 12th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to delay any local elections as a result of the new local government structures proposed in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

No.

Local Government: Reorganisation
Asked by: Blake Stephenson (Conservative - Mid Bedfordshire)
Friday 12th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 26699 on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow Ministers to change the boundaries of existing strategic authorities.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced to the House of Commons on 10 July 2025, amends provisions in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 concerning the establishment and expansion of combined authorities (CAs) and combined county authorities (CCAs), respectively.

These provisions allow for existing CAs or CCAs to be changed through ‘locally-led’, ‘Secretary of State-led’ and ‘Secretary of State-directed’ routes.

The locally-led and Secretary of State-led routes will require local consent. However, where no relevant, viable proposals have been submitted, the Secretary of State may decide to direct the addition of a local government area to an existing CA or CCA.

The Government believes that devolution should be locally-led wherever possible and will work with local leaders to agree proposals that have broad support.

Business Premises: Rents
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Friday 12th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of banning upward-only rent reviews for commercial leases on the valuations of commercial property owned by local authorities.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has carefully assessed the evidence for banning upwards only rent reviews and published full details in the Impact Assessment for the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Based on the data and evidence-base we have available, we have assessed that any costs incurred by landlords will be outweighed by the benefits to tenants and the wider economy of a fairer, more dynamic property market.

Electric Bicycles: Hire Services
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall)
Monday 8th September 2025

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to require public e-bike hire schemes to include third-party insurance for (a) injury to people and (b) damage to property as part of the hire fee; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a requirement on (i) public safety and (ii) liability for scheme users.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is empowering local leaders to licence shared cycle schemes through measures in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. These licences will contain some minimum standard conditions set by the Secretary of State to ensure a baseline of safety and operability across the country. This could include specific insurance requirements for operators. We will consult publicly on the nature of these conditions before licensing is implemented to ensure we get it right.

Business Premises: Rents
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Friday 5th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what public consultation her Department has undertaken in relation to the proposed prohibition of upward-only rent reviews for commercial leases in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

No formal public consultation was undertaken prior to the announcement of the policy. However, upwards only rent reviews are an issue of a longstanding concern that artificially inflated rents make it harder for businesses to access commercial property. The government conducted extensive research and expert engagement before deciding to proceed with the ban, which will encourage the market to operate more efficiently, ensuring rents respond to market conditions, and promote less adversarial relations between landlords and tenants.

Mayors: Members
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Friday 5th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with combined authority mayors on provisions in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill on restrictions on being Members of Parliament.

Answered by Jim McMahon

My department has engaged with Mayors and the local government sector ahead of publication of the English Devolution White Paper, where this policy was introduced.

The post of mayor is a significant role at the forefront of delivering change and demands the full attention of any post holder. That is why the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will prohibit individuals from holding the office of Member of Parliament (or being a member of the devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and mayor simultaneously. This is already the case for Mayors who hold Police and Crime Commissioner responsibilities.

Community Assets
Asked by: Helena Dollimore (Labour (Co-op) - Hastings and Rye)
Thursday 4th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support community ownership of local assets.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

We want to support communities to take ownership of assets that are important to them. Community Right to Buy, introduced in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, will empower local people to bring community spaces back into community ownership and help to end the blight of empty properties on our high streets.

This new measure will give community groups the first option to purchase registered assets when they are put up for sale and a longer timeframe to raise funding to purchase the asset.

Community Ownership Fund
Asked by: Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative - Wetherby and Easingwold)
Thursday 4th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to replace the Community Ownership Fund.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

On 23 December 2024, we announced that the Community Ownership Fund (COF) is closed and that there will be no further application windows. Whilst we have closed the COF programme, this Government remains committed to the communities sector and to community empowerment.

As part of the Spending Review, we announced communities funding for up to 350 places, which will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 75 Plan for Neighbourhoods areas announced in March.

Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we will also introduce a new Community Right to Buy to give local people stronger powers to acquire valued community spaces. This new measure will give community groups the first option to purchase registered assets when they are put up for sale and a longer timeframe to raise funding to purchase the asset.

The Bill will also expand the definition of an Asset of Community Value (ACV) to help protect a wider range of assets, including those that support the economy of a community and those that were historically of importance to the community. This will empower local people to bring community spaces back into community ownership and help to end the blight of empty properties on our high streets.

Urban Areas
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Thursday 4th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to bring people into high streets.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government is taking several steps to regenerate high streets to make them attractive to businesses, communities and visitors.

The Government has announced communities funding for up to 350 places, including the 75 places named in the Plan for Neighbourhoods in March 2025. The Plan for Neighbourhoods will provide £1.5bn to some of the most left-behind communities in the United Kingdom over ten years – including Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Places will be able to use their £20m to enrich their town centre offering and revive footfall in their high streets.

Additionally, the Government is tackling vacancy with High Street Rental Auctions, giving local authorities the power to auction rental rights of persistently vacant commercial properties. We are also legislating through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill for a new Community Right to Buy, enabling communities to acquire valued assets. These measures will help revive footfall, boost local economies, and empower communities.

Mayors: Members
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Thursday 4th September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has received representations from the Mayor of London on the provision in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to disqualify a person from being a mayor and a Member of Parliament simultaneously.

Answered by Jim McMahon

My department has engaged with Mayors and the local government sector ahead of publication of the English Devolution White Paper, where this policy was introduced.


The post of mayor is a significant role at the forefront of delivering change and demands the full attention of any post holder. That is why the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will prohibit individuals from holding the office of Member of Parliament (or being a member of the devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and mayor simultaneously. This is already the case for Mayors who hold Police and Crime Commissioner responsibilities.

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Monday 1st September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department had with relevant stakeholders on the inclusion of measures on supplementary vote in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Answered by Jim McMahon

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has engaged with a wide range of local government stakeholders during the development of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. On the measure regarding the supplementary vote, we have discussed this measure with both Mayors and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, given this measure will revert the voting system back to the supplementary vote system for both Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). We will continue to engage with Mayors and PCCs on this measure, and all other measures in the Bill, during the passage of the Bill through Parliament.

Social Services
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Monday 1st September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether strategic authorities will have responsibilities for social care provision.

Answered by Jim McMahon

Local Authorities will retain responsibility for social care provision. Strategic authorities will gain a new duty in relation to health improvement and inequalities through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, but this will not alter the duty for Local Authorities to deliver adult’s or children’s social care services.

Strategic Authorities have a key role to play in taking action, particularly on the social determinants of health, through the exercise of their functions in areas such as transport, housing, and planning. By working with other local leaders, they can move away from traditional forms of service delivery to a holistic approach organised around service users.

To support Strategic Authorities in being active leaders in this space and driving a “health in all policies” approach in line with our Mission government approach, the government is introducing a new bespoke duty in relation to health improvement and health inequalities. Additionally, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill sets out a new standardised Devolution Framework, which positions Strategic Authorities as convenors on public service reform. They will work in partnership with Local Authorities to bring partners together to drive forward public service reform and prevention.

Our programme of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will unitarise the remaining 21 two-tier areas; LGR will bring upper and lower tier councils together so all social care services are delivered in one place. On 25 July, the Department published clarifying information for areas developing Local Government Reorganisation proposals, including reference to social care: Local government reorganisation: Considerations for partnership working in social care for new unitary authorities. This reiterated the point that ‘new unitary councils will take over statutory responsibility for service delivery, including social care responsibilities which will continue to sit with the Director of Children’s Services (DCS) and Director of Adult Social Services (DASS).’

Planning Permission: Local Government
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Monday 1st September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether mayors in (a) mayoral and (b) county combined authorities will have rights of veto.

Answered by Jim McMahon

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced to the House of Commons on 10 July 2025, makes provision to standardise voting arrangements for mayoral combined authorities and mayoral county combined authorities when making decisions. Unless prescribed otherwise, the standard voting arrangement will be a simple majority of the authority’s members voting and present, including the mayor. This means the mayor must be in the majority for a decision to pass.

Local Government
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Monday 1st September 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 24 June 2025 on Simplified Local Leadership Structures, HCWS736, through what legislative means the committee system will be abolished.

Answered by Jim McMahon

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced to the House of Commons on 10 July 2025, makes provision to change the available governance arrangements for councils in England, by amending the Local Government Act 2000 to remove the committee system and require those currently operating the committee system to move to the leader and cabinet model.

Active Travel: Hire Services
Asked by: Alex Mayer (Labour - Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard)
Friday 25th July 2025

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report entitled Annual Shared Micromobility Report 2024 published by CoMoUK.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We are committed to growing shared micromobility in Great Britain. The Government continues to trial rental e-scooters so we can learn what works, and on 21 July I announced these trials will be extended to May 2028, and for the first time since the trials began, I am offering new towns and cities the opportunity to join.

Cycle sharing is already here and growing, as highlighted by this report. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill introduced on 10 July included a measure to regulate on-street micromobility services which will give our local leaders the powers to regulate shared micromobility so they can shape these schemes around their needs, connect people to public transport, and ensure they are used safely and responsibly.

Councillors: Data Protection
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Thursday 24th July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 31879 on Councillors: Data Protection, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to include the reforms to the Localism Act 2011 on councillor’s home addresses.

Answered by Jim McMahon

Our continued aim is to remove the requirement for councillors’ home addresses to be published. We intend to legislate when parliamentary time allows.

Business Premises: Rents
Asked by: Alison Taylor (Labour - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Thursday 24th July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed prohibition of upwards-only rent reviews in all commercial property leases contained in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill on (a) institutional finance markets and (b) speculative development funding sources in the context of (i) large scale urban regeneration projects and (ii) other development projects.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government conducted extensive research and engagement before deciding to ban upwards only rent reviews. In the last quarter of 2024, 1 in 7 high street properties were vacant. Whilst we recognise the ban removes a guarantee of return from investors, it will support growth overall by making rents fairer and allowing businesses to access and invest in our High Streets.

Railways: Devolution
Asked by: Elsie Blundell (Labour - Heywood and Middleton North)
Tuesday 22nd July 2025

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and her Department's document entitled English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether she will bring forward legislative proposals for (a) Mayors to have a statutory role in (i) governing, (ii) managing and (iii) planning railways, and (b) an option for Mayors to control local railway stations and (c) the right for Mayors to request rail devolution.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

These subjects will be addressed in the Railways Bill, to be introduced later in this parliamentary session, and with accompanying guidance on the right to request. Guidance will outline the process for Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities to make this request and the criteria that will be considered, such as national and regional network implications.

Financial Services: East of England
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Tuesday 22nd July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to bring forward pilot zoning schemes to provide easier planning for commercial development in financial and professional service hubs in the East of England.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government recognises a local zonal approach where upfront planning permission is granted for certain types of commercial development can be a useful tool to attract new investment to specific places.

Local planning authorities already have the power to make Local Development Orders to do this, and the National Planning Policy Framework encourages them to use this tool.

Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we are also now giving mayors a similar power to make Mayoral Development Orders, enabling them to bring forward proactively new strategic sites for commercial development in their area.

Mayors
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Tuesday 22nd July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has published on the maximum of deputy mayors that may be appointed by the (a) Greater London Authority and (b) combined authority mayors; and whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend these limits.

Answered by Jim McMahon

The maximum number of deputy mayors for the Greater London Authority (GLA), combined authorities, or combined county authorities is set out in relevant legislation – that being the Greater London Authority Act 1999, the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, and the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

There are several positions that may be referred to as ‘deputy mayor’. In the GLA, this includes the statutory deputy mayor, the mayor’s appointees under section 67(1)(b) of the 1999 Act, and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. In combined authorities and combined county authorities, there is the statutory deputy mayor and, where applicable, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will, if passed, introduce the position of ‘commissioner’, whom the Mayor can appoint to help deliver on one or more areas of competence.

The Mayor of London may appoint up to 11 ‘deputy mayors’ under section 67(1)(b) of the 1999 Act. In combined and combined county authorities, mayors can appoint one statutory deputy mayor and one Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. As currently drafted, they will be able to appoint up to seven commissioners. There are no plans to amend these limits.

Mayors
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Thursday 17th July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to abolish directly elected council mayors once directly elected strategic authority mayors are introduced in localities.

Answered by Jim McMahon

As part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, subject to Parliamentary agreement, we will legislate to prevent the creation of any new local authority directly elected Mayors. However, to prevent any further disruption, we accept the continuation of the 13 legacy directly elected Mayors currently in post.

Local Government
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Wednesday 16th July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have given to local authorities about the specific democratic decision-making processes they should adopt; and under which legislation has such guidance been given.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We have provided no current guidance to local authorities on their decision-making processes; within the governance models provided for in legislation, the precise nature of each council’s constitutional arrangements is for that council to decide.

As part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill we intend that in future any council operating under the committee system will be required to operate with the leader and cabinet form of governance, and that leader and cabinet will be the only option, for councils currently operating with a directly elected mayor, should they determine to change governance arrangements.

Community Assets
Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
Wednesday 16th July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether statutory guidance on Community Right to Buy provisions in the English Devolution Bill will recognise environmental impact when determining the value of community assets.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The government recognises the vital role of community spaces and wants to see them thriving again. Community Right to Buy will empower local people to bring community spaces back into community ownership.

These provisions were introduced on 10 July in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. Subject to parliamentary passage, statutory guidance will be introduced in due course.

Public Houses and Social Clubs
Asked by: Stuart Anderson (Conservative - South Shropshire)
Wednesday 16th July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to help increase the number of community (a) pubs and (b) social clubs.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government recognises the crucial role that pubs and social clubs play in our communities, supporting local economies, providing a sense of community pride, and fostering belonging and connection.

We want to support communities to take ownership of assets that are important to them. Community Right to Buy, introduced in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, will help local people acquire valued community spaces, such as pubs and social clubs, if they come up for sale, keeping these assets in the hands of the community.

Retail Trade: Urban Areas
Asked by: Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne)
Thursday 10th July 2025

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce the number of empty retail units and (b) help regenerate high streets in (i) Eastbourne and (ii) other towns.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

This government is taking several steps to reduce empty retail units and regenerate high streets in Eastbourne and other towns across the country. Eastbourne will benefit from up to £20 million over 10 years through the £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods programme announced in March, which aims to regenerate local areas, including high streets in deprived areas.

Additionally, the government is tackling vacancy with High Street Rental Auctions, giving local authorities the power to auction rental rights of persistently vacant commercial properties. We are also legislating through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill for a new Community Right to Buy, enabling communities to acquire valued assets. These measures will help revive footfall, boost local economies, and empower communities.



Parliamentary Research
Who is responsible for local transport in England? - CBP-10321
Aug. 18 2025

Found: English devolution and changes to local transport The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-25 - CBP-10319
Aug. 15 2025

Found: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-25



Department Publications - Transparency
Thursday 25th September 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: MHCLG: ministerial travel and meetings, April to June 2025
Document: View online (webpage)

Found: class="govuk-table__cell">Meeting of the Mayoral Council to discuss skills the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill



Department Publications - News and Communications
Thursday 17th July 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Full steam ahead for Devolution Priority Programme
Document: Full steam ahead for Devolution Priority Programme (webpage)

Found: The news follows the introduction of the new English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill in Parliament

Thursday 10th July 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Landmark Devolution Bill brings new dawn of regional power
Document: Landmark Devolution Bill brings new dawn of regional power (webpage)

Found: take the reins in driving growth receives its biggest boost as the landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

Thursday 3rd July 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Local Government Association Conference 2025
Document: Local Government Association Conference 2025 (webpage)

Found: our regions, and making devolution the default setting through our landmark English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill



Department Publications - Policy and Engagement
Thursday 10th July 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Impact assessment
Document: (PDF)

Found: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Impact assessment