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UK funds Thames Valley mayoral authority with £9.1 million

By Drooid · Oct 29, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

The UK government announced the Thames Valley will move toward a new mayoral strategic authority.
Chancellor John Healey allocated £9.1 million from the Good Growth Fund for the authority's development.
Thirteen councils will draft a proposal before a New Year consultation and aim to submit it in spring 2027.
The mayor would control transport, housing, skills, employment support and inward investment.

Summary

South Oxfordshire District Council leader Maggie Filipova-Rivers criticized the two-day response window for the devolution proposals.
Filipova-Rivers warned that excluding Buckinghamshire could hinder public services such as healthcare and policing.
Swindon Borough Council leader Gary Sumner called the announcement a “landmark moment” for the Thames Valley.
Some officials warned Swindon’s distance from neighbours could limit effective regional collaboration.

History

In 1998 a 72% London referendum backed a new mayor-and-assembly authority, which the Labour government created as the Greater London Authority in May 2000 with a £1.2 billion Treasury grant and Ken Livingstone as its first mayor. The Thames Valley devolution proposal, backed by Chancellor John Healey and 13 councils, seeks to copy that model with £9.1 million funding.

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In 1998 a 72% London referendum backed a new mayor-and-assembly authority, which the Labour government created as the Greater London Authority in May 2000 with a £1.2 billion Treasury grant and Ken Livingstone as its first mayor. The Thames Valley devolution proposal, backed by Chancellor John Healey and 13 councils, seeks to copy that model with £9.1 million funding.

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