What powers should the Mayor and Assembly have for the next 25 years?

On 16 December 2024, the Government outlined its proposals for a new devolution framework in the English Devolution White Paper.¹ These include extending devolution across England by establishing new Strategic Authorities, formalising the powers of Strategic Authorities in legislation, and establishing a new integrated funding settlement that will provide devolved regions and cities, including London, with a consolidated budget across a range of policy areas. The White Paper outlines a range of powers the Government aims to provide to Mayors in the areas of transport, skills and employment support, housing and planning, environment and climate change, business and research.²

As part of its proposed reforms, the Government has committed to introducing the English Devolution Bill during the current parliamentary session.³

The White Paper emphasises the importance of London learning from its international competitors.⁴ It proposes that “the government will work with the Mayor of London to compare the powers and policy approaches of other global city authorities”.

Tomorrow, the GLA Oversight Committee will examine the functioning of London’s current devolution settlement, its gaps, inconsistencies, successes, and challenges, and its alignment with the Government’s proposed devolution plans, as set out in the White Paper.

The guests are:

Panel 1 (The Government’s proposed devolution reforms and how they relate to London):

• Prof Patrick Diamond, Professor in Public Policy, Queen Mary University of London
• Dr Janice Morphet, Visiting Professor, The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London
• Dr Jack Newman, Research Fellow, University of Bristol

Panel 2 (London’s devolution settlement – successes, challenges, gaps, and inconsistencies):

• Hamida Ali, Head of Learning and Practice, The Future Governance Forum
• Rob Anderson, Research Director, Centre for London
• Richard Brown, Author and Freelance Consultant, Richard Brown Consulting
• David Phillips, Associate Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies

The meeting will take place on Wednesday 14 May from 2pm, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

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