Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, what guidance she plans to issue to combined authority mayors on ensuring (a) clear accountability for the implementation of new devolved transport powers and (b) that regional transport planning (i) aligns with the work of Great British Rail and (ii) helps to deliver a cohesive national rail strategy.

The English Devolution Accountability Framework and Scrutiny Protocol set out the accountability requirements for all Combined Authorities. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s English Devolution White Paper set out the government’s commitment to work with the sector to explore a number of measures to enhance local scrutiny and accountability.

Where a Mayoral Combined Authority is in receipt of an integrated funding settlement, this will be underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding, available at Integrated Settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities - GOV.UK, and an individual outcomes framework for delivery, to be agreed with government.

For the transport measures that require implementation guidance, this is being developed and will be published in due course. Devolved leaders in Mayoral Combined Authorities will have a statutory role in governing, managing, planning and developing the Great British Railways (GBR) network. GBR will be organised to work collaboratively with mayors and local stakeholders, ensuring rail better meets local needs. Supporting this, GBR will agree partnerships with mayors, demonstrating a change in how the railway engages locally.

Local influence and control will need to be balanced with Great British Railways (GBR) taking decisions in the interest of the wider regional and national network in line with the Long-Term Rail Strategy that will be put in place.

On 18^th February we launched the 8-week public consultation into the Government’s proposals for the Railways Bill. This consultation seeks views on the key legislative proposals that will form part of the upcoming Railways Bill and make that vision a reality.