House of Lords approves Devolution Bill as licensing reforms move closer to law

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has cleared its final stage in the House of Lords, marking a significant milestone in one of the most far-reaching reforms of English local government in a generation.

Peers completed the Bill’s Third Reading on 15 April 2026, concluding detailed scrutiny and approving a series of final amendments before sending the legislation back to the House of Commons. The Bill will now return to MPs for consideration of Lords amendments on 21 April 2026, the next critical step before it can become law.

A framework for devolution

The legislation establishes a new default model for devolution across England, creating a nationwide system of “strategic authorities” and expanding the powers of mayors and local leaders.

It builds on existing statutes such as the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016, consolidating and extending powers over transport, housing, planning and economic development.

At its core, the Bill represents a structural shift toward unitary local government and greater regional autonomy, aligned with ongoing local government reorganisation (LGR) proposals across England.

Key licensing implications

For licensing professionals, the Bill introduces important licensing reforms that could reshape regulatory practice across multiple sectors.

Institute of Licensing: new hub and sector response

The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has launched a dedicated Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) & Devolution Hub to support practitioners navigating the changes.

The IoL highlights that the Bill introduces a “default framework for devolution… including new powers over areas including licensing”, underlining its significance for licensing authorities and practitioners.

The hub provides:

• Ongoing legislative updates

• Sector-specific analysis of reforms

• Resources, training and engagement opportunities

• A centralised legislation tracker for the Bill’s progress

In launching the platform, the IoL emphasised its role as a focal point for news, guidance and professional engagement as devolution and LGR proposals evolve.

Crucially, IoL members can track the Bill’s progress, implementation developments and participate in forum discussions, ensuring practitioners remain informed and able to respond to emerging regulatory changes.

What happens next

With Lords scrutiny complete, attention now turns back to the House of Commons, where MPs will consider amendments made by peers on 21 April 2026.

If both Houses reach agreement, the Bill will proceed to Royal Assent—unlocking a new legislative framework that will significantly reshape local governance, devolution structures, and licensing regulation across England.