English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

Published 5 March 2026.

The government's letter addresses the Committee's two questions, explaining the Bill's territorial extent and setting out why it is using a new statutory test for the Secretary of State's power to direct the establishment of a Combined Authority.

• On extent, all provisions apply in England only, except three measures (and Part 6 final provisions) that also apply in Wales.
• The government says that, although the three measures "do not require a legislative consent motion", it has consulted the Welsh Government on all of them.
• The government is "of the view" that tying the test to the Bill's areas of competence, rather than to "economic, social and environmental well-being", will align it more firmly with the new devolution architecture.
• The power under paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 "would only be commenced by regulations if needed", and the government says it is intended as "a last resort" where no viable locally-led proposal has been provided.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error