English Devolution

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 became law in April 2026. It is a major piece of legislation intended to transfer more decision-making power from central government to local and regional leaders, strengthen local government and give communities greater influence over local decisions.

However, ensuring that rural areas can benefit from new governance arrangements is vital for the benefit of rural communities.  This section brings together the latest reports news and research relating to rural devolution.