Devolution, especially within England, has been an increasingly important policy topic for parties of various colours. The Labour Government have made their efforts to progress “devolution by default” through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
On 16 December 2024, the Government published the English Devolution White Paper. Following this, the first draft of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to the House of Commons and given its First Reading on Thursday 10 July 2025. First Reading is a formal stage, and no debate took place at this time.
On 2 September 2025, the Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Commons. Second Reading provided Members of Parliament with the opportunity to debate this Bill in the House of Commons for the first time.
This briefing will explore the key measures this bill proposes, as well as the key arguments made by MPs at Second Reading.
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