Dorset MPs welcome Budget devolution commitment

Dorset MPs have welcomed an announcement that the government is in the "final stages" of agreeing devolution deals.

Edward Morello previously asked for a guarantee that the Wessex region would have a mayor by the 2028 election, which was backed by the prime minister.

In the detail of the Budget, delivered by Chancellor John Healey, the government has confirmed Wessex is one of the 10 local authorities due devolution agreements.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent Steve Harris, Morello said the decision meant "more buses" and "more investment" for residents.

"This means we can steam ahead with those plans," the West Dorset MP said.

"It means that residents of Wessex will know that after those elections we'll have a mayor, we'll be getting that potentially £460m a year in additional investment."

A new Heart of Wessex combined authority would include Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), Dorset, Wiltshire, and Somerset Councils.

Its bid was rejected by the government in January 2025, which disappointed council leaders.

Morello said Wiltshire and Dorset councils "have already been working together for a very long time".

"Having this large devolved mayoral area will mean that we've got a single mayor who can lobby on behalf of the region, bringing in the money that our region needs," he said.

Morello said a lot of that provision would be linked to transport infrastructure.

"For West Dorset especially, buses are key, we're badly served, we don't have the rural transport network that people need in order to be able to get around," he said.

"I'm very hopeful that this is about unlocking money for stuff like buses which would help local people access to services in their local area."

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Vikki Slade also said the confirmation was "fantastic".

She said the "hard work of all four councils, together with the commitment of so many MPs across the region, has paid off".

In a joint statement, BCP leader Millie Earl, Dorset Council leader Nick Ireland, Somerset Council leader Bill Revans and Wiltshire Council leader Ian Thorn said they "warmly welcome" the Chancellor's commitment, calling it "a significant vote of confidence in our region".

"For residents, it means greater local control over decisions affecting transport, housing, skills, regeneration and economic growth, enabling new, significant funding and investment to be directed towards the priorities that matter most to our communities," it said.

"Wessex is ready. We have done the groundwork and look forward to continuing to work closely with government on an agreement that delivers lasting benefits for our residents, businesses and communities for generations."