Morning, Friday, 12th December 2025
This conference will examine the future for devolution in the Midlands, bringing together policymakers and stakeholders to also assess progress since the 2024 mayoral elections and the evolving national policy landscape. We expect discussion in areas such as confidence in long-term funding and the scope of local responsibilities over finances, capacity and delivery timelines during reorganisation, and the balance between national decision-making structures and local powers.
It will be an opportunity to examine the process of implementation in the West Midlands and East Midlands Combined Authorities, and what will be needed to effectively support local capabilities and delivery, and long-term growth.
New responsibilities
The conference will examine implications of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill for the Midlands, including the statutory designation of Strategic Authorities and devolution of responsibilities for adult skills, transport, planning and public service reform.
We expect discussion to draw on the West Midlands’ experience of integrated funding settlements and spatial planning, considering early developments in the East Midlands as it begins to assume devolved responsibilities. Discussion will also look at next steps for South Midlands local authorities, with further local government reorganisation expected in the region, including questions raised by stakeholders on accountability, scrutiny and public engagement.
Coordination & inclusive growth
Attendees will assess priorities for the WMCA and EMCCA in achieving the shared commitment to work together on delivery. Sessions consider how both regions can best align strategies to harness sector strengths - such as in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital industries - and next steps for university and business partnerships to support innovation.
Those attending will assess implementation of the Local Growth Plan, priorities for infrastructure and economic alignment, and the role of long-term collaboration with central government in supporting delivery.
Sessions will consider how inclusive growth can be embedded into long-term regional strategies. Delegates will discuss approaches to meeting shared ambitions for raising living standards, reducing inequality, improving public health, and unlocking economic potential across communities, alongside priorities for reforms to skills systems, employer practices, and local powers that can help build resilience across the region.
Investment, support for clusters & securing supply chains
In the context of the Industrial Strategy, opportunities for closer coordination will be considered, including Investment Zones and Freeports, alongside clearer accountability for joint programmes across the two combined authorities and their partner local authorities. Delegates will assess the use of tax relief, infrastructure funding, and skills programmes in key sectors - such as battery technology, logistics, and clean energy - alongside options raised by stakeholders for greater local control over funding, flexibility for mayors to raise revenue, and more predictable long-term settlements to support private investment.
The role of national financing tools - such as the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance - will also be examined, alongside local strategies needed to attract investment and commercialise research.
Development of strategic supply chains and regional clusters will be considered, looking at relationships with other neighbouring combined authorities and initiatives - such as the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor - as well as priorities for safeguarding economic security and cyber resilience in key clusters and supply chains.
Housebuilding, transport & planning
Further sessions will assess priorities for accelerating housing delivery. Areas for discussion include frameworks for local and combined authorities working with developers to align speed of development with quality, environmental standards, and community needs, including addressing stakeholder concerns about planning capacity, fragmented responsibilities, and certainty for developers amid changes to local structures and election cycles.
As well as issues around construction costs and tackling skill shortages, delegates will examine how affordable housing and essential social infrastructure can be delivered at scale, and how national funding programmes and devolved investment strategies can be further aligned to meet local housing ambitions.
There will also be a focus on transport infrastructure. Areas for discussion include WMCA bus franchising, oversight and system planning, implications of the pause on Midland Main Line electrification, as well as priorities for transit investment and local mobility frameworks, and Transport for City Regions funding. We expect discussion on the economic and regeneration impact of recent and proposed changes to major rail schemes, including HS2, and how to coordinate delivery across regional and local networks.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Department for Business and Trade; Department for Transport; and Active Travel England.
