Devolution in England describes the process of the UK Government providing more powers to England and places in England.[1] The most recent version of this is strategic authorities, including combined authorities and the Greater London Authority.[2]
There are also several intergovernmental bodies that were created to help facilitate cooperation and policy coordination between the different groups within the English devolution framework, these include the Council of Nations and Regions, the Mayoral Council for England and the Leaders Council.[3]
History
The Local Government Act 2000 was passed 28 July 2000 and included devolved powers, directly elected mayors, local government scrutiny, code of conduct and requirements for local authorities.[4] In 2004 the UK Government established regional assemblies in England creating administrative devolution.[4] The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 was passed on 12 November 2009 and created the foundation for the creation of combined authorities. In 2010 the regional assemblies in England were dissolved by the coalition government consisting of Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.[4] The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 was passed on 28 January 2016 and created an optional mayoral governance structure for the combined authorities. The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 was passed on 26 October 2023 and created county combined authorities. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 made local government reform compulsory in all areas and introduced spatial development strategies.
Structures
National
The UK Parliament is the sole legislature able to pass legislation for England, with the UK Government providing executive functions.
Strategic authorities
The term strategic authority was first used in December 2024 and became statutory in 2026 as part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.[5] The term was applied to existing structures that had already been created over the preceding twenty-five years. Strategic authorities are categorised as foundation, mayoral, and established mayoral. This indicates how developed they are as structures to receive devolved powers and funding. As of June 2026, there are twenty strategic authorities made up of thirteen combined authorities, six combined county authorities and the Greater London Authority. All strategic authorities outside Greater London were voluntarily established by their constituent councils. All but foundation strategic authorities have a strategic authority mayor.[6]
Intergovernmental
There are currently three intergovernmental bodies that have representation from Strategic Authorities that represent England at U.K level
Council of Nations and Regions
Mayoral Council for England
Leaders Council
Modifications to the structure
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act
On July 10 2025 the UK Government introduced the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to reform devolution in England and make the process for creating new combined authorities and devolving further powers to current combined authorities faster and more uniform.
Local Auditing Office
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill part 4 will establish an independent Local Auditing Office body to oversee standards, registration of auditors and enforcement.[7]
See also
Notes
- ^ The UK Government currently exercises executive functions for England.
- ^ There is currently no devolved English Parliament. The UK Parliament legislates for England.
- ^ This includes combined authorities and combined county authorities.
- ^ The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 replaces county councils and district councils with unitary authorities.
- ^ The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 established the legal framework for combined authorities.
References
- ^ “What does devolution mean and how does it work across the UK?”. BBC News. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ^ Kirsty, Weasley (27 May 2026). “Devolution Act: What you need to know”. LGC.
- ^ “A More Collaborative Way of Governing? Why the UK’s Council of the Nations and Regions Matters | policyWISE”. www.policywise.org.uk. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
- ^ a b c “English devolution”. Institute for Government. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ^ “Devolution White Paper: On-the-day factual briefing”. Local Government Association. 16 December 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ^ “Explaining more about the English Devolution White Paper”. Centre for Governance and Scrutiny. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
- ^ “Update: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill published | Stone King”. www.stoneking.co.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
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