Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 22044 on Council of the Nations and Regions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of inviting (a) councillors and (b) council mayors to the Council of Nations and Regions.

As set out in its Terms of Reference, the Council of the Nations and Regions is a central, driving forum that brings together governments and authorities with devolved responsibilities to determine actions for tackling some of the biggest and most cross-cutting challenges the country faces. On 16 July 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all areas in England that do not have a devolution agreement to invite them to come forward with a proposal. New mayors established through this process will be eligible to attend the Council of Nations and Regions.