Policy paper

Integrated Settlements eligibility criteria

Published 30 January 2025

© Crown copyright 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/integrated-settlements-eligibility-criteria/integrated-settlements-eligibility-criteria

As part of ending devolution by deal in favour of devolution by default, the government is setting clear criteria for accessing the Established Mayoral tier.

Once designated as Established Mayoral, Strategic Authorities will automatically be conferred with the relevant powers and functions available at that level of the framework by right. In line with the framework, Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities will be eligible to receive an Integrated Settlement, which will commence at the following Spending Review provided a sufficient preparation period has passed.

These criteria are that:

  • The Mayoral Strategic Authority (or predecessor Mayoral Strategic Authorities) has been in existence, with a directly elected leader in place, for at least 18 months
  • The Strategic Authority has a published Local Assurance Framework in place
  • In the last 18 months, the Strategic Authority has not been the subject of a Best Value Notice, a MHCLG commissioned independent review or a statutory inspection or intervention
  • The Strategic Authority is not subject to any ongoing (or implementing recommendations from an) externally mandated independent review
  • There are no material accounting concerns covering the current or previous financial year which relate to the Strategic Authority’s ability to manage public money

On meeting the above criteria, the government will further consider the Strategic Authority’s track record of managing major programmes.

The government confirmed at Spending Review 2025 that the following Strategic Authorities are eligible for an Integrated Settlement from the 2026 to 2027 financial year onwards:

  • Greater London Authority
  • Greater Manchester Combined Authority
  • Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
  • North East Combined Authority
  • South Yorkshire Combined Authority
  • West Midlands Combined Authority
  • West Yorkshire Combined Authority

These Integrated Settlements are in addition to the Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authority Settlements for financial year 2025 to 2026.

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