Lords library briefing on English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
The House of Lords Library has published a briefing on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which has now completed its third reading in the House of Commons. The bill would create strategic authorities with standardised powers across transport, housing, skills, economic development, the environment, health and public safety, and would give ministers powers to direct local government reorganisation towards unitary structures. It introduces a new community right to buy assets of community value, establishes the Local Audit Office, bans upwards-only rent review clauses in commercial leases in England and Wales, creates a new licensing framework for taxi and private hire vehicles and grants new hospitality licensing powers to the Mayor of London. The government has also launched a consultation on an overnight visitor levy, which closes on 18 February 2026.