English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Second Reading

What happened: The House of Commons voted on 2 September 2025 to approve the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill at Second Reading, passing it by 365 votes to 164. Second Reading is the stage at which the Commons debates and votes on the general principles of a bill, so this result gave parliamentary approval for the legislation to proceed to detailed scrutiny in committee.

Why it matters: The bill proposes to shift powers and funding from central government in Westminster to English regional and local authorities. In practical terms, this could mean councils and combined authorities gaining greater control over areas such as local planning, economic development, transport, and public services. The legislation affects England's system of local governance, with implications for how communities across English regions experience decision-making over services and investment in their areas.

The politics: The vote divided sharply along party lines. All 361 Labour and Labour and Co-operative MPs who voted supported the bill, while all 88 voting Conservatives, all 71 voting Liberal Democrats, and the small number of voting Reform UK, Alliance, Ulster Unionist, and Traditional Unionist Voice members opposed it. Four Independents voted in favour and one against. The Liberal Democrat opposition is notable given that party's longstanding support for decentralisation, and may reflect specific objections to the bill's design rather than devolution in principle. The bill subsequently passed Third Reading on 25 November 2025 by 322 votes to 179, confirming its continued progress through Parliament.