New powers for England’s metropolitan mayors will be introduced in an effort to roll out ‘greater devolution’ of decision making in the regions.

Laying out the government’s legislative plans during the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, King Charles III revealed plans to give combined authorities new powers to help ‘support local growth plans’.

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Local leaders, including North East mayor Kim McGuiness and Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, will also be handed greater control of the region’s bus services, via the Better Busses Bill.

As recently as this week McGuiness revealed plans to launch the ‘Kids Go Free’ initiative, offering free travel for children aged 11 and under during school holidays over the next year.

Bus operators across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham will run the scheme for up to three children when travelling with an adult, combined with a permanent price promise across the Tyne and Wear Metro and Shields Ferry.

Speaking on behalf of the first Labour government for 14 years, His Majesty said: “My Government believes that greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern dynamic economy and is a key driver of economic growth and my Ministers will introduce an English Devolution Bill. 

“Legislation will be introduced to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities. This will support local growth plans that bring economic benefit to communities.”

Speaking to The QT earlier this month, Mayor McGuiness said it was ‘great news’ to see Sir Keir Starmer’s government ‘hitting the ground running’.

“Buses are a lifeline for communities right across the North East,” she said. “We need to quickly fix our broken bus system so that we can improve services, make our buses much more reliable and cheaper for all.

“Greater Manchester endured a six-year battle to deliver local control of bus services and the process was overly complex with barriers at every turn. 

“The Government’s plan will remove these barriers so better buses can be delivered faster, which is good news for us all.” 

With almost 40 bills announced on behalf of the Labour government, the legislation-heavy speech also included promises to ‘get Britain building’ via the reforming of planning procedures, a new Border Security Command and removal of the VAT exemption for private school fees.

It is hoped the latter will fund the recruitment of 6,500 new teachers. 

As expected, the ceremony also included the announcement of several pre-election promises from Starmer and his party, including train operators being brought into public control and the introduction of the publicly-owned Great British Energy.  

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Improving the National Health Service as a ‘service for all’ was also on the agenda, with the government pledging to reduce waiting lists and provide care on the basis of need ‘regardless of the ability to pay’. 

“It [the government] will seek to reduce the waiting times, focus on prevention and improve mental health provision for young people,” said King Charles. 

“It will ensure mental health is given the same attention and focus as physical health. My ministers will legislate to modernise the Mental Health Act so it is fit for the twenty-first century.”