The Cheshire and Warrington region has been confirmed as part of the Government's Devolution Priority Programme.

Under the programme, the area will be given sweeping new powers and will hold mayoral elections in May 2026.

The news has been welcomed by the leaders of the region's three councils - Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester, and Warrington.

In a joint statement, they said: "Today's announcement is good news for our residents, communities and businesses.

"Cheshire and Warrington being part of the priority programme shows that government is confident in Cheshire and Warrington's ability to seize the opportunities that a devolution agreement could bring.

"It puts us at the front of the queue for significant power and funding and we want to seize this opportunity.

"Devolution would allow us to make more decisions here in Cheshire and Warrington, rather than decisions about our region and its almost one million residents being made in London."

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (Credit: Nub News)

Cheshire & Warrington is one of six areas confirmed to join the government's Devolution Priority Programme on Wednesday, February 5.

Cumbria, Norfolk & Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex & Brighton, and Hampshire & Solent have also been put on the fast track to devolution.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "The truth is that for all the promises of levelling up, central government's first instinct is all too often to hoard power and hold our economy back.

"Too many decisions affecting too many people are made by too few. We promised to achieve a devolution revolution by overseeing the greatest transfer of power from Westminster in a generation, and today's announcement will help raise living standards, improve public services and build the homes we so desperately need.

"By taking a common-sense approach to reorganisation, boosted by our reforms to give mayors a suite of vital new powers, we will make sure areas can truly deliver on our Plan for Change."

Tim Roca, MP for Macclesfield, added: "I welcome the Deputy Prime Minister's announcement today to prioritise Cheshire and Warrington for a devolution deal.

"I am pleased that local leaders and I have been listened to in making the case for greater powers and investment in our region.

"This is a significant step forward that will unlock huge opportunities for our communities here in Macclesfield, ensuring that decisions about our future are made closer to home.

"I look forward to working with local leaders to secure the best possible deal available to put Cheshire on the map."

More information on Cheshire's devolution journey can be found here Cheshire and Warrington Devolution