Devolution deals approved by the government

Devolution deals for Hull and East Yorkshire and for Lincolnshire have been agreed by the government.

If approved by Parliament, mayors will be elected in May 2025, with control over housing, job creation and public transport, including bus franchising.

Combined county authorities, with responsibility for education, will be established for Lancashire and for Devon and Torbay in early 2025.

The government said it was also “minded” to progress with four other non-mayoral deals, but would resume talks with two more councils which had reached agreements with the previous Conservative government.

Under the deals, Greater Lincolnshire would get an extra £24m a year from government, and Hull and East Yorkshire an additional £13m annually.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the changes were about “rebalancing the power between Westminster and our communities”.

“This agreement will ensure local people will have a seat at the table as we drive forward our plans to deliver economic growth, and unleash the potential of towns and cities which have been neglected for far too long,” she said.

The Lincolnshire devolution plan includes the areas covered by North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire councils, as well as that covered by Lincolnshire County Council.

If approved, existing council structures, and the services they provide, will remain.

Anne Handley, the Conservative leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said she was delighted the devolution deal had been approved.

“This will be a fantastic opportunity to unlock investment for the region and improve strategic collaboration between Hull and East Yorkshire council areas,” she said.

“The mayoralty will provide a strong voice for the East Yorkshire region and support communities and local businesses.”

A public survey in March, carried out by the councils in Hull and East Yorkshire, suggested that 53% of the 6,000 people who responded were in favour of the move.

Critics, including the Hull Labour group, have said the area does not need another layer of local government.

Philip Jackson, the Conservative leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said the government was clear that an elected mayor was required to unlock additional powers and funding.

“Personally, I think the mayor will be a good figurehead for the combined authority and will also be able to collaborate directly with government far more effectively than individual local authorities doing that,” he said.

Both deals had been signed off by the previous Conservative government in 2023, but were delayed following the calling of the election earlier this year.

The current Labour government said Cornwall, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire and Surrey councils would be given power over skills for the first time, subject to further statutory tests being met.

But it will not go ahead with the mayoral deals for Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council, which were agreed by the previous government. Instead, further talks will be held on devolution in the two counties.

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