Mayor Steve Rotheram welcomes Government’s devolution announcement

Mayor Steve Rotheram has welcomed a government announcement that promises sweeping new devolution powers for the Liverpool City Region. 

Published yesterday, the Government’s English Devolution White Paper is arguably the most significant development in devolution since combined authorities were introduced in 2009. 

The White Paper sets out how the Government will strengthen and widen the mayoral model of devolution across England.  

It recognises the unique role that Mayors can play to drive growth by using their local mandate across a city region to take the necessary decisions needed to drive growth and by using their convening powers to bring local partners together to tackle regional challenges. 

The White Paper confirmed that the Liverpool City Region is in the first wave of Mayoral Combined Authorities that will receive an Integrated Settlement – a consolidated budget across housing, regeneration, local growth, local transport, skills, housing retrofit, and employment support. 

And it repeatedly referenced how devolution is allowing the Liverpool City Region to deliver – through local control of its trains, re-regulation of buses, and the LCR Film Production Fund. 

The White Paper also highlights how government is backing the Mayor’s plans to consolidate the city region as a global Life Sciences and innovation superpower, providing funds to drive   breakthrough research in infection, therapeutics, mental health, advanced manufacturing, and the use of data and AI to lead healthier lives. 

It also references establishing an Office for Public Sector innovation in the Liverpool City Region, dedicated to reforming how public services are delivered. 

Read the full White Paper here.

The details of what the White Paper means for the city region will be scrutinised further over the coming days and will be discussed at this Friday’s Combined Authority meeting (20th December). 

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram welcomed the White Paper, saying: 

“This is a watershed moment for devolution in England. Angela Rayner and the government are showing real leadership by putting local communities in the driving seat when it comes to decision-making. They understand that places like the Liverpool City Region thrive when we’re given the power to shape our own destiny. 

“We’ve proven that devolution delivers. The Liverpool City Region is leading the way nationally – from launching the first publicly owned trains in decades to rolling out LCR Connect, the country’s most advanced digital network. These achievements are just the start of what’s possible when power is placed in the hands of local leaders who know and care about their communities. 

“With the Government’s commitment to making devolution the default, we can build on these successes, unlocking even more opportunities for our region. This isn’t just about powers and policies – it’s about tackling inequalities, driving growth, and building a better future for the 1.6 million people who call our city region home.  

“Mayors are the delivery arm of government and, working together, we’re setting the standard for what devolution can achieve.”