The Government wants to transfer more power and spending from Whitehall to communities and, on December 16, 2024, published its English Devolution White Paper which described how it intended to do this.

The Government says redistributing political, social and economic power ‘will rewire England and allow everyone everywhere to realise their full potential’. It plans to develop strategic authorities across England, with councils working together under these, to deliver improvements to things like transport networks, skills and employment support, housing and the environment.

The white paper is seeking to achieve two things – devolving more powers to local areas (devolution) and simplifying the local government structure (Local Government Reorganisation).