Trailblazing Devolution for the West Midlands
What is Deeper Devolution?
We've negotiated a new Deeper Devolution Deal securing wide-ranging new powers and a budget windfall in excess of £1.5 billion to level up the region.
Under the Deeper Devolution Deal – announced by Government in March 2023's Spring Budget – the WMCA has secured new and significant longer-term funding agreements including 100% business rates retention for 10 years, worth £450 million.
It has also been confirmed the West Midlands will, from the next spending review, have a departmental-style arrangement with a single pot of funding negotiated with Government. This will give local leaders unparalleled control over spending on devolved areas, marking a seismic shift in power and influence from Whitehall to the West Midlands.
Highlights of the Deeper Devolution Deal
- A landmark housing deal worth up to £500 million, offering greater flexibility to drive brownfield regeneration and unique powers and funding to deliver affordable housing at pace.
- Fiscal devolution, including retention of business rates for the next 10 years – worth an estimated £45 million a year to the WMCA and local authorities.
- A new departmental-style budget arrangement with a single pot of funding.
- Up to six levelling up zones, backed by 25-year business rate retention, with an expected total value to the region of at least £500 million, to target investment and encourage jobs and regeneration in areas agreed between the WMCA and Government.
- Measures to tackle digital exclusion including greater influence over high speed broadband investment across the region and a £4 million fund for devices and data to get more people online.
Greater local responsibility for developing and delivering careers advice and a partnership with Department for Work and Pensions to target employment support.
- Devolution of the bus service operators grant and a new partnership with Great British Railways to offer greater local oversight and control of public transport services.
- The UK’s first formally designated transport sandbox to deliver cleaner and safer vehicles and innovative transport services to our streets faster while supporting new jobs and investment.
A commitment to devolve retrofit funding from 2025, to allow the WMCA, and partners, to set priorities for investment in insulation and green energy for homes.
- A commitment to a new partnership with national arts and culture organisations to shape their investment in regional cultural priorities.