Tracy Brabin re-elected as Chair of the UK Mayors Group

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has been re-elected by her fellow metro mayors to chair the UK Mayors Group, it can be announced.

The election took place ahead of a meeting of the Mayoral Council for England today (4 September), chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner.

Held in the East Midlands, the landmark meeting brought together England’s cross-party mayors to discuss their shared priorities for the country, including how they will work together to grow their regional economies and make life easier for working people.

The vote of confidence means that Tracy Brabin will continue to lead the collective voice of England’s directly-elected mayors – who together represent over half of the population – as they push for stronger powers and fairer funding to drive growth, improve public services, and bring decision-making closer to the people it affects.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward was also elected as the Deputy Chair of the UK Mayors Group.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire and Chair of the UK Mayors Group, said:

“I am honoured to have been entrusted once again by my fellow mayors to lead the UK Mayors Group.

“At a time when towns and cities across England face urgent challenges – from building affordable homes and clean power to reforming adult skills and public transport – it is vital that mayors of all political parties work together to speak with one voice, on behalf of the thirty million people we collectively represent.

“Together, we will continue to champion devolution, ensuring the decisions that affect our lives are taken closer to home, as we work together to build a brighter Britain that works for all.”

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands and Deputy Chair of the UK Mayors Group, said:

“I am honoured to be elected the Deputy Chair of UK Mayors.

“It is the forum that brings mayors together – across party lines – to bring more power to regions, and making a success of it together has never been more critical.

“I look forward to working closely with my fellow mayors, government, and local partners to ensure that devolution delivers.”

England’s metro mayors are proving that devolution works. By bringing decision-making closer to the people it affects, mayors across the country are working to:

• Make public transport more affordable, reliable and accessible for all.
• Build more affordable and sustainable homes to bring down household bills.
• Equip people with the skills and employment support that they need to succeed in local jobs.
• Backing local businesses to create jobs and grow the economy.

In some regions, mayors are also working to hold police forces to account to help them deliver safer streets, and/or working with local NHS leaders to improve patient care and public health.

England’s Metro Mayors

• Tracy Brabin, West Yorkshire (Labour & Co-operative)
• Paul Bristow, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough (Conservative)
• Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester (Labour & Co-operative)
• Luke Campbell MBE, Hull & East Yorkshire (Reform UK)
• Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire (Labour & Co-operative)
• Helen Godwin, West of England (Labour & Co-operative)
• Lord Ben Houchen, Tees Valley (Conservative)
• Dame Andrea Jenkyns DBE, Greater Lincolnshire (Reform UK)
• Sir Sadiq Khan, Greater London (Labour)
• Kim McGuinness, North East (Labour & Co-operative)
• Richard Parker, West Midlands (Labour & Co-operative)
• Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region (Labour)
• David Skaith, York & North Yorkshire (Labour & Co-operative)
• Claire Ward, East Midlands (Labour & Co-operative)

The English Devolution Bill

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is changing how local powers work from 2026:

• Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (the highest tier, similar to “Level 4” or “trailblazer” deals) will receive long-term, flexible funding to run transport, housing, skills and employment support, with the option of taking on extra responsibilities over time.
• Mayoral Strategic Authorities will operate with a strong package of devolved powers, with the opportunity to progress to Established status once readiness tests are met.

Areas with ‘Established’ status:

• Greater Manchester, West Midlands
• Starting from 2026/27: the North East, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, the Liverpool City Region, and Greater London

Other mayoralties will continue with core devolved powers and move up as they demonstrate readiness.

The Mayoral Council of England

• The Mayoral Council for England brings together the fourteen English Metro Mayors with UK Ministers to coordinate action on economic growth, transport, housing, skills and public service reform.
• The Council is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner.
• The Chair of the UK Mayors Group, Tracy Brabin, was first elected West Yorkshire Mayor in May 2021 – then becoming the UK’s first ever woman Metro Mayor – and was then re-elected for a second term in May 2024.
• The Deputy Chair of the UK Mayors Group, Claire Ward, was elected East Midlands Mayor in May 2024.