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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether Gloucestershire will be able to (a) establish a foundation strategic authority and (b) access the £120 million incubator capital for areas moving towards devolution announced in the Autumn Budget 2026, before the planned vesting of a new unitary council in April 2029.

The Government wants to deliver devolution for all parts of England by the end of 2028 as quickly as possible, including Gloucestershire. In areas where there is not local consensus on the right devolution pathway, we are working with local leaders to reach this.

Incubator capital for the financial year 2027/28 is being held in reserve for areas like Gloucestershire, at the same per capita rate as areas with emerging Strategic Authorities, and will be allocated as and when agreement on devolution is reached.