Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are among 10 areas in the final stages of agreeing new devolution arrangements, the Government has confirmed in its Autumn Budget.
The proposed Mayoral Strategic Authority would give the area a new structure for devolved decision-making, with the Government aiming to extend devolution agreements across England by the end of 2028.
The announcement follows calls from a 30-strong group of MPs, councils, education providers and businesses for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to be prioritised for devolution.
The Government said it was in the final stages of agreeing Mayoral Strategic Authorities for eight areas, including Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Surrey, Thames Valley and Wessex.
It is also progressing a Strategic Authority for Kent and Medway, which could be mayoral depending on the outcome of local government reorganisation, and a Foundation Strategic Authority for Cornwall.
The Government said the new model would be embedded for the long term, with local people able to hold local leaders to account. It aims to have devolution agreements covering the whole of England by the end of 2028.
Stuart Elford, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is an important step forward for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
“We have consistently argued that our area should be part of the next phase of devolution, and it is encouraging to see the Government confirm that a Mayoral Strategic Authority is now in the final stages of being agreed.
“Devolution must translate into practical benefits for businesses and communities. A mayoral authority could give our region a stronger voice in decisions on transport, skills and infrastructure, alongside greater opportunities to attract investment and support economic growth.
“The priority now is to secure a deal that reflects the needs of our local economy and gives businesses the long-term certainty to plan and grow. We look forward to working with the Government and local partners to help make that happen.”
The Chambers is among the signatories of a joint letter to the Prime Minister calling for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to be recognised as a priority for the next phase of devolution.
The letter argues that the area forms an established economic footprint, with a population of around 1.2 million and approximately 84% of residents working within the local economy. Supporters say a Mayoral Strategic Authority could bring greater powers, long-term funding and a stronger voice in national decision-making.
The Budget also set out plans to give mayors a greater role in local economic growth. The Government intends for local and regional government to retain 100% of business rates income before the end of the decade, with mayors receiving a share of business rates from 2027.
The Government said it would also provide £285 million in 2027-28 for areas moving towards a devolution deal or Strategic Authority status. This includes £120 million in incubator capital funding, although the announcement does not specify how much, if any, would be allocated to Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The Government said the new arrangements would mean more than 90% of England’s population had a devolution agreement in place.
