What does the Autumn Budget mean for the West Midlands?

The Government has committed to what it describes as the biggest transfer of power and resources out of Whitehall in a generation, with a roadmap towards fiscal devolution, greater retention of local revenues, and new Good Growth Funds for local leaders.

For a region with strengths in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, innovation, culture and the creative industries, greater local control over funding and investment decisions could help unlock new opportunities for growth. Additional regional funding and fiscal powers also have the potential to accelerate major infrastructure projects, support regeneration schemes and strengthen the cultural assets that make places across the West Midlands attractive to live, work and invest in.

Particularly welcome is the commitment to additional funding for social and affordable housing, including a further £1.5 billion to support delivery and a long-term ambition to increase housebuilding across the country. Access to good-quality, affordable housing remains fundamental to economic growth, workforce mobility and thriving communities.

Today's announcements also reinforce many of the themes already being explored through the West Midlands APPG's workstreams on Growth & Investment, Infrastructure, and Culture, Place & Liveability.

The Budget's emphasis on regional growth, investment, placemaking and devolution comes as the APPG continues to build on the findings of its Culture, Place & Liveability Inquiry and convene discussions around the opportunities and challenges facing the region through this year's work and events programme.

As we continue to bring together parliamentarians, businesses, local authorities and regional stakeholders, the Budget provides an important backdrop to a number of conversations already taking place across the APPG's workstreams. The key challenge now will be ensuring that these commitments translate into the powers, resources and long-term certainty needed to unlock investment, deliver infrastructure, support housing growth and strengthen the West Midlands' competitiveness.

The direction of travel is clear: if the UK is serious about delivering growth, regions like the West Midlands must be empowered to lead it.