English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: HL Bill 150 of 2024–26

Approximate read time: 1 hour 5 minutes

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is intended to implement the government’s commitments to devolve power more widely in England; introduce a new devolution model by creating strategic authorities (SAs); reorganise local government into a pattern of unitary government; and reform the local audit system. In summary the bill would: 

• Create a new tier of authority and a statutory devolution framework for England. The bill would create three levels of SAs: foundation, mayoral and established mayoral. The framework would set at each level a standard set of functions and duties, structured around seven areas of competence.  

• Give the secretary of state powers to direct local government in England to develop and submit proposals for local government reorganisation. 

• Create a new licensing framework for taxis and private hire vehicles. 

• Give the Mayor of London certain licensing powers in relation to hospitality. 

• Introduce a community right to buy assets of community value and introduce a new category of asset—the sporting asset of community value. 

• Create the Local Audit Office, whose main objective would be to secure the effective operation of the local audit system. 

• Ban upwards-only rent reviews in new and renewal commercial leases in England and Wales. 

The official opposition said it supported the principle of devolution. However, it disagreed with the approach the government was taking. It voted against the bill both at second and third reading in the House of Commons.  

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