English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026

Labour will introduce landmark devolution legislation to transfer power out of Westminster to communities.

The bill's long title states it will 'make provision about combined authorities, combined county authorities, the Greater London Authority, local councils, police and crime commissioners and fire and rescue authorities' which relates to devolution structures and transferring power to local/regional bodies. The short title 'English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026' directly references devolution and community empowerment. However, the promise specifically refers to 'UK parliamentary bill' and 'transfer power out of Westminster to communities' across the UK, while this bill appears focused on English devolution only (as indicated by its short title). The bill has received Royal Assent so it is enacted legislation. The verdict is 'partial' because while devolution legislation has been passed that transfers powers to communities, it appears limited to England rather than addressing devolution across all UK communities as the promise suggests.