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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what changes she expects to make to governance arrangements in Bedfordshire through the English Devolution White Paper.

In July, the Deputy Prime Minister invited places without devolution agreements, including Bedfordshire, to come forward and submit devolution proposals for their areas. This process closed in September and the government is now working closely with local leaders and stakeholders to review these proposals. The upcoming English Devolution White Paper will set out further detail on this government’s ambitions, including the benefits that can be gained through the establishment of combined authorities and combined county authorities over sensible economic geographies and supported by a mayor.