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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Deputy Prime Minister kickstarts new devolution revolution to boost local power, published on 16 July 2024, when she expects the first devolution deals to be signed by her Department.

The Deputy Prime Minister has written to local leaders in those areas of England which are not yet covered by devolution, encouraging them to come forward with proposals by the end of September. Preparations for devolution settlements will be led by local areas themselves and the department is keen to grow devolution coverage across England.

We have set out our intention to expand the devolution of powers in areas such as housing planning, transport, skills and employment support, building on the existing devolution framework.

As part of our drive to hand more power to places and communities so they can better deliver growth in their local areas, the Government will also publish a new devolution framework in due course, setting out the new powers and flexibilities available to local areas.