6 new laws that will help us make the West Midlands a better place to live and work

‘Greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern dynamic economy’.?

Amid the pomp and circumstance of this week’s King’s Speech within the Palace of Westminster, devolution with its emphasis on moving powers from Whitehall to the regions was a key theme.?

We have already negotiated a Deeper Devolution Deal securing wide-ranging powers and a budget windfall in excess of ￡1.5bn.?

But as HM King Charles revealed this time last week, his Government, led by the Prime Minister, will press ahead with even deeper devolution to support the growth of regions such as the West Midlands.?

In fact, the speech was packed with bills that have the potential to have an impact on our area.?

So let’s dive into the speech to discover which of these bills have most caught our attention.

WATCH: the State Opening of Parliament here

1. English Devolution Bill

The English Devolution Bill will establish a new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and back to those who know their areas best. It will give local leaders the tools they need to drive growth by:??

• Giving local leaders the levers over local growth?

• Making devolution a ‘default’ that helps to avoid lengthy negotiation?

• Simplifying the process for new Combined Authorities such as our own?

• Unblocking and improving local decision-making?

• Empowering local communities.

We’re delighted that success stories like our deeper devolution negotiations will be replicated countrywide, but we also welcome the opportunity to secure more responsibility here in the WMCA as well as even more levers devolved to local leaders.

2. Better Buses Bill?

A modern transport network is vital to kickstarting economic growth.

Buses are the lifeblood of our communities, connecting us to opportunities, providing access to services, improving air quality and tackling climate change.

However, it is widely accepted that the current system is not working for passengers, and is not financially sustainable.

The bill will put power over services back in the hands of the communities that depend on them.?

We hope all the provisions allow the combined authority to deliver future bus reform.

3. Railways Bill?

This is the bedrock of the Government ambitions for rail reform which outlines plans for public ownership of railway services, establishing Greater British Railways, creating a new passenger services watchdog, simplifying tickets and promoting the use of freight rail services.?

4. Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill????

In this separate bill (but complementary to the Railways Bill), train operations will transfer to a public-sector operator as existing contracts expire or operators fail to meet their commitments.?

For context, the West Midlands rail franchise expires in 2026. It has been proposed that rail reform will end years of fragmentation and waste, and deliver more effectively for the customer.??

This is the shortest bill and has already been published. It will likely become law in the coming weeks. ?

5. Great British Energy Bill?

This bill seeks to establish Great British Energy which will develop, own and operate energy assets in partnership with the private sector.??

This organisation will support the production of and transition to clean energy, an area the Combined Authority has championed through its WM2041 pledge.??

6. Skills England Bill?

The bill will transfer functions from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to Skills England, which will sit at the heart of a system that provides learners with the skills required to thrive in life, businesses with the trained workforce they need to succeed, and local areas with access to the right skills to spur economic growth.

Skills England will support a comprehensive assessment of current and future skills needs.

It comes hot on the heels of the launch of our West Midlands Youth Plan which aims to open up 20,000 work experience placements, training opportunities and apprenticeships training. Our aim is to ensure that this new Body works closely with Mayors and Combined Authorities, and ties in heavily with our forthcoming Local Growth Plans.?

Summary?

There’s a lot of work to come but the Combined Authority welcomes the King’s Speech with its transformative agenda that can have a real impact on West Midlands.?

We relish the opportunity for further discussions around devolution as the speech outlines collaboration to support regional leaders to deliver change for their communities.?

It is a touch point for so much of our work through the skills agenda to clean energy.?

We’re looking forward to working with the Government to shape this legislation, as well as the future for the West Midlands.?

By the WMCA Public Affairs team and Andrew Turton