English Devolution White Paper to set out how councils will “move to simpler structures”, Autumn Budget reveals
The Government is drawing up an English Devolution White Paper that will set out more detail on its devolution plans, including on “working with councils to move to simpler structures that make sense for their local areas”.
The Autumn Budget, delivered on Wednesday (30 October) by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, sets out wide-reaching changes to government spending and taxation but also includes a brief reference to the "upcoming" devolution white paper.
According to the document, the white paper "will set out more detail on the government's devolution plans, including on working with councils to move to simpler structures that make sense for their local areas, with efficiency savings from council reorganisation helping to meet the needs of local people".
It also said that it would set out the government's plans to "widen devolution to more areas and deepen the powers of existing mayors and their combined authorities, ensuring they have the tools needed to boost economic growth".
The Government added that it is "working closely" with local leaders on the upcoming white paper.
The Autumn Budget meanwhile confirmed that the Government is introducing the first integrated settlements for the Greater Manchester and the West Midlands Combined Authorities from 2025‑26.
The next Mayoral Combined Authorities to be eligible to receive integrated settlements from 2026‑27 have been confirmed as the North East, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authorities, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The Government will also explore how an integrated settlement could apply to the Greater London Authority from 2026-27.
Alongside this, the Government announced that it plans to simplify the wider local funding landscape, reducing the number of grants and consolidating them into the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS), as well as moving towards a multi-year settlement for local government "so local authorities can plan more effectively".
The Autumn Budget said: "The government recognises the pressures that local authorities are facing and will have a framework in place to support those in most difficulty. The government is also committed to pursuing a comprehensive set of reforms to return the sector to a sustainable position."
This will include reform of the approach to allocating funding through the LGFS, starting with a targeted approach to allocating additional funding in 2025-26, ahead of a broader redistribution of funding through a multi-year settlement from 2026-27.
"The government will set out further details through an upcoming local government finance policy statement."
Adam Carey
