Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Sally Jameson and Janet Daby

Monday 7th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Janet Daby (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

9. What steps her Department plans to take through local government changes to further devolve funding decisions to regions.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Sally Jameson)]

We will be giving mayors greater flexibility to deploy funding within integrated settlements, and mayors will also retain a share of business rates in place of Government grants from April 2027. We will replace further grants from central Government with a share of local income tax from 2028.

[Janet Daby]

The Bakerloo extension line project would help to revitalise Catford, a town in my constituency. In fact, it would unlock thousands of new homes in the area. Will changes to regional funding allow the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority to make decisions to back the Bakerloo line and progress the project?

[Sally Jameson]

I know my hon. Friend has been campaigning on this issue. She will be pleased to know that we are committed to empowering mayors, giving them further levers to invest in their communities and their areas, including through retaining a share of income tax. Further details will be set out as part of the fiscal devolution road map at the Budget. The Bakerloo extension line will be a decision for the GLA and Transport for London, and I will continue to work with them to support their work and future projects.