Joint Devon and Cornwall region idea dead

Counties won't combine under one mayor

In what is being seen as a huge political win for Cornwall, it has today been revealed that there will be no Devonwall deal and that Cornwall is likely to be granted a bespoke devolution deal by the government.

All six Cornish MPs – four Labour and two Liberal Democrat – have welcomed the move, which has been confirmed in a letter to Cornwall Council’s senior leadership by communities secretary Steve Reed, MP.

He said the deal respects Cornwall’s unique status. It will not require any amalgamation with neighbouring authorities to the east or the need to be led by a mayor.

The decision has been made despite the Labour government’s desire for devolved local authorities to include groups of councils pooling powers to be led by a directly elected mayor.

The announcement has come after a year of cross-party campaigning by politicians in Cornwall, with the Duchy’s Labour MPs going against their party’s preference and pushing for a Cornwall-only devolution deal to recognise the county’s distinct identity, history and geography.

Mr Reed’s letter says the Government recognises “the strong enthusiasm in Cornwall for devolution and the benefits it provides.

“The Government is minded, on an exceptional basis, to work with you to explore designating the council as a Single Foundation Strategic Authority.

“Any designation would be subject to Royal Assent of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and parliamentary approval of the necessary secondary legislation, before unlocking the powers and functions available at that level of the Devolution Framework and starting Cornwall on its journey to deeper and wider devolution.

“The Government will provide further detail on future Strategic Authority designations in due course.”

Noah Law MP, Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay, said: “The need for devolution in Cornwall on a Single Foundation geographic basis is a matter of broad political consensus and is something which I have been pushing for from day one, along with the powers and investment needed to realise Cornwall’s potential.

“I’m delighted to see that, despite all the claims that this couldn’t be done, or some wider South West Mayor was inevitable, our Labour Government recognises Cornwall’s right to define its own future, together with more investment on the way in the form of Fair Funding and the establishment of a publicly-owned investment fund for Cornish industries.”

Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, added: “Though of course welcome, this is just a step on the road to Cornwall having far greater say in the future shaping of our services and communities. We’re not motivated to cut ourselves off, but to cut Cornwall into the celebration of diversity, both here in the UK and a wider world.

“I must congratulate all of my Cornish MP colleagues. We stuck together and made it clear we wouldn’t lie down and accept the Government’s original offer. And to thank our councillors on Cornwall Council and our parish and town councils who have all been resolute throughout.

“There’s more to do, but we’re on the right path.”

Cllr Leigh Frost, the Lib Dem leader of Cornwall Council, has been very vocal since coming to power in May that he would fight all the way for a Cornwall-only deal. He said: “It’s great that by all working together with one voice we have put Cornwall on the best possible footing for the next stage of devolution.

“But this isn’t the end of the journey, and we’ve still got to make sure we get the best deal we possibly can. It’s definitely a step in the right direction and I thank the Government for recognising that Cornwall has a unique case for devolution.”

We understand that Cornwall’s Labour MPs will be meeting ministers next week to flesh out the details of the deal.

The Government has also announced today that the Cornish language, Kernewek, will now have the same European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages Part 3 status as the other Celtic languages of the UK – Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish.

Perran Moon, MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, said: “Since arriving in Parliament I’ve used Kernewek at the start of virtually every question I’ve asked on the floor of the House of Commons and Westminster Hall debates.

“I’ve spoken, chased, messaged, emailed and written to various ministers, private secretaries and civil servants to demand Part 3 status. Such has been the focus that the Critical Minerals Minister, the Business and Trade Minister and even Chancellor Rachel Reeves spoke Kernewek in visits to Cornwall over recent months.

“This is a huge win, first and foremost to those people across Cornwall who truly care about protecting and nurturing the Cornish language. This Labour Government has listened to the four Cornish Labour MPs and delivered. I’m absolutely thrilled.”

The announcements come a day after the chancellor announced in her budget that Cornwall will receive £30 million over two years as part of the new Kernow Industrial Growth Fund.