Six areas confirmed on Devolution Priority Programme

Six areas in England are set to elect mayors for the first time, under the next stage of the government’s devolution plans.

Cumbria, Cheshire & Warrington, Norfolk & Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex & Brighton and Hampshire & Solent have been confirmed to join the government’s Devolution Priority Programme, with mayors in these areas to be elected by May 2026.

These areas will be given “sweeping powers,” the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said, including over housing and transport.

They will now “work to an ambitious devolution timetable”, with consultations set to launch shortly, MHCLG said. It stated that under its programme, areas would be fast-tracked, becoming mayor-led strategic authorities by May next year, “if they proceed”.

In another strand of the government’s devolution plans, legislation has come into effect to establish four new devolution institutions. These include two new mayoral authorities in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. Combined county authorities will also be formed in Devon and Torbay, and Lancashire.

These institutions have been established following devolution agreements that Angela Rayner, deputy prime minister and housing secretary, confirmed last year.

Soon after Labour came to power in July 2024, Rayner urged …