Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) increasing devolution in England and (b) giving Metro Mayors local tax raising powers.

We are already extending devolution across England.

Through the announcement of six new devolution deals last year and most recently ground-breaking trailblazer devolution deals with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities, as well as the publication of the English Devolution Accountability Framework, the Government is empowering local leaders by ensuring they have more control and influence over the decisions that affect their communities. We will continue to work with local government in England to establish and grow new mayoral combined authorities, combined county authorities, and county deals. Our existing mayors are already playing a powerful role in driving economic growth, improving public services and giving local areas a voice on the national stage. The Government recognises the importance of fiscal devolution in England.