Starmer promises new powers and partnership with metro mayors

Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has pledged to give England’s metro mayors new powers covering transport, planning, skills and employment support. He said he will agree funding settlements with leaders who demonstrate “exemplary handling of public money”.

England’s mayors met with Starmer and Angela Raynor, Deputy Prime Minister and  Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, at 10 Downing Street last week.

Starmer said: “My fundamental belief is that those with skin in the game are the ones who know best what they need. That’s why, for many years I have been in constant dialogue with metro mayors across the country about what works for their areas, and I will continue that now as Prime Minister.  

“By resetting these crucial relationships and putting more power in the hands of local leaders, I’m determined to make sure they have the support they need to play their part in delivering economic growth in every part of the country.”

Many of the metro mayors were re-elected or elected for the first time in the mayoral elections in May. London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham both retained their seats. All but one of the seats are held by Labour mayors, the one exception being Conservative Mayor for Tees Valley Lord Ben Houchen.

The Downing Street meeting was attended by 11 mayors from England, with Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard absent because he was ill with Covid.

The mayors will develop new Local Growth Plans, which are designed to identify economic opportunities that can be built on through devolved powers. Angela Rayner called on the mayors to identify local specialisms, and contribute to work on a national industrial strategy.

During the meeting, Starmer told the mayors that he will set up a Council of Regions and Nations to allow ministers and mayors to meet regularly.

The Guardian reported that Starmer said: “We will set up a council for regions and nations. Now, I don't want to overly formalise it, but I do want a degree of formality so that it's a meeting that everybody knows is a meeting where business is done, where decisions are properly recorded and actioned.”

Labour Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said the meeting “marked a welcome step change in the relationship between mayors and Government. We had a productive discussion about how we will grow our economies and put money back into people’s pockets, build new homes and improve local transport.