This was a lords amendment on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. The bill seeks to broaden English devolution by creating new regional authorities and extending mayoral powers over planning, housing, transport, police and fire services, with new rules for budgeting, governance and accountability. It has been through both Houses with extensive amendments about who can create or change authorities, how budgets are set, planning priorities (notably brownfield land), parish governance, and transparency requirements, with ongoing negotiations between the Lords and Commons.
•- Creates new forms of English regional governance (foundation authorities and mayoral combined authorities) and expands powers for these authorities across planning, housing, transport, health, licensing and policing/fire functions.
•- Governance safeguards: amendments consider whether councils must consent to new or changed authorities, how commissioners are appointed, and how budgets and local tax rules apply to these bodies.
•- Planning and development policy debates: proposals to prioritise brownfield land before greenfield, the introduction of an "agent of change" principle to protect existing neighbours/businesses, and changes to how development is approved (including mayoral development orders).
•- Local democracy and parish governance: measures to promote parish and town councils, allow unparished areas to form new councils, and require consultation with parishes in neighbourhood decisions, along with electoral reform considerations.
On 21 April 2026 MPs voted 287 to 150 in favour of a government motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 98 to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, a change connected to bus services regulation. Two MPs voted against their party whip. Disagreeing with the Lords means the Lords' proposed changes to that amendment would not be accepted in the bill's current form, and the bill moves back to the Lords for further consideration.
Two MPs voted against their party whip.Government wins a clear margin on Lords amendment disagreement.Focus on bus services regulation within the devolution package.Further talks between Commons and Lords will shape the bill’s path.
AI-generated context — may contain errors.
Turnout by party
67%
Green Party
5/5 (100%)
Liberal Democrat
56/72 (78%)
Conservative
81/114 (71%)
Labour (Co-op)
283/401 (71%)
Democratic Unionist Party
3/5 (60%)
Independent
4/13 (31%)
Social Democratic & Labour Party
0/2 (0%)
Ulster Unionist Party
0/1 (0%)
What happens next?
The Lords amendment result is sent back to the other House for consideration.
Current stage: Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons
