Liberal Democrat MP Will Forster, warned Labour Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, that his devolution plan risks a left-behind Britain, leaving Woking - and the rest of Surrey -without a Metro Mayor.  

The Liberal Democrats have long called for a proper shifting of power away from Whitehall, and into communities, but Woking MP, Will Forster, raised urgent concerns that new plans to give areas with a Metro Mayor millions of pounds more in funding will deepen divides.  

Will Forster says that Woking, in its new West Surrey Council, has been given no timeline, no funding, and no guarantee that it will see the powers London and Manchester have been given. 

The creation of West Surrey Council will inherit a debt of £4.5 billion, yet Labour has failed to give the extra powers or money to help. Labour says this will save money; but despite Will Forster repeatedly asking the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government how much money reorganisation saves, the government has failed to come up with a figure for Surrey, or the rest of the country. 

Government figures already show that areas with a Metro Mayor get millions more in cash. As things currently stand, areas with Metro Mayors receive over nine times as much funding than normal local authorities. That’s a gap of up to £2.26 million, compared with £250,000, for basic administration.  

Burnham's devo deal means Woking could also miss out on: 

• an estimated £27 million a year in investment funding. West Surrey is not in the Devolution Priority Programme. 

• the chance to be considered for the £500 million Revolving Growth Fund, reserved for Metro Mayors.  

• over £200 million per year in total between 2026/27 and 2029/30 from the Local Growth Fund; this will go only to Metro Mayors. 

• a single integrated funding settlement, giving local leaders the flexibility to invest in transport, housing, skills and economic growth without the instability of bidding every year to central government. 

Also, areas in the Devolution Priority Programme, designed to bring a form of devolution to more areas across England, announced by the Government last year, receive investment fund allocations of between £11 million and £44 million per year. With such stark gaps, one begins to question the sincerity of the new Prime Minister’s policies. 

Metro Mayors across England also hold exclusive access to additional powers that would widen the gaps between those who have a Metro Mayor, and Burnham’s left behind Britain. These powers mean regions with a Metro Mayor get exclusive ways to keep money in the area it is raised, funding public transport, infrastructure improvements and more cash for local business growth. This means areas without a Metro Mayor are left even further behind. 

Woking’s Lib Dem MP, Will Forster, said: 

“I want to see more power in our local communities, but these plans from Andy Burnham risk increasing the divide in the country. As a former Metro Mayor, he should know better. 

“The Government’s own stats show that areas without a Mayor get way less than those with a Mayor – Woking is set to lose out on millions of pounds of funding. We are saddled with billions of Conservative debt, and the new council will struggle to cope with that without extra money from the government. 

“I've pushed repeatedly for debt relief for Woking, but we are still in the mire. Labour say they want to standardise local government but without these extra powers and money, Labour is making two kinds of councils. Ones with, and ones without. Ultimately, Woking is missing out.” 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: 

• Constituency data on Strategic Authority Mayors:[Data] Strategic Mayoral Authorities 

• Funding figures are drawn from the government's Explanatory Note on Mayoral Strategic Authority Funding 2026-27.  

• Capacity funding allocations: existing MSAs receive £2,257,576 in 2026-27, rising to £2,580,952 in 2028-29; FSAs receive £250,000 per annum across the same period. 

• Annual investment fund allocations for Devolution Priority Programme areas range from £11.1 million (Cumbria) to £44.6 million (Hampshire and the Solent). Details here. 

• Fiscal powers available exclusively to mayoral strategic authorities can be found here. 

• Ed Davey, Zöe Franklin ,Lib Dem Spokesperson for Local Government, and Liberal Democrat council leaders’ joint letter to Andy Burnham: AB devolution letter 10072026.pdf 

Last week marked two years since the General Election. It’s been whirlwind, working to deliver change under an endlessly changing government. I’ve lost track of how many different ministers have represented the various government departments I’ve worked with!

By the end of next week, we’ll have a new Prime Minister, and I hope that he brings with him the stability needed to bring real change. With nearly 20 policy U-turns under Starmer, it’s hard to imagine it can be much worse!

Despite the turmoil, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved in these two years.

I’ve worked hard to deliver for Woking through extensive casework – supporting local residents with an enormous range of issues – from pension problems, to housing, complex child support cases and more, it’s at the heart of everything I do.

I’ve also been working hard in Westminster, having already spoken in Parliament more times than my predecessor did in 14 years – and within that work I’ve had some notable wins! I thought I’d highlight three of them today...

Securing an unprecedented £500 million write off for Woking’s debt

Even before being elected, I knew that Woking Borough Council’s vast debts were going to be top of the agenda if I became the MP. I’m delighted that after many months of lobbying the Government finally agreed to provide support through a historic £500 million debt write-off.

This is the first time a government has ever written off an individual local authority’s debt before. We’re not out of the woods – there is still a huge amount of debt to contend with – but the government have conceded that more support will be needed in the future.

I’ll continue working with colleagues to ensure that the new West Surrey Council doesn’t start life on the back foot.

Improving protections for vulnerable children

Countless parents and guardians have contacted me about Surrey County Council’s failing children's services. These horror stories sadly come as no surprise. The safeguarding report into the tragic murder of Sara Sharif made it abundantly clear that she was badly let down by social services – and that change is needed to prevent something like this happening again.

I have repeatedly raised this with the Government, including directly with the soon to be ex-Prime Minister, and I’m pleased that they are listening and progress is being made. I’ve helped change the law so that people who are under suspicion of child abuse can’t homeschool their children to hide it.

More still needs to be done. We need national reforms, stronger early intervention, mandatory information sharing and tougher oversight of high-risk cases. I will continue pushing to strengthen services and improve funding to protect children now, not when it is too late.

Securing funding for Goldsworth Park Neighbourhood Health Centre

I’m also pleased to have helped secure funding for a new Neighbourhood Health Centre in Goldsworth Park. This money will see Goldsworth Park Health Centre expand which will increase the number and range of appointments available to patients.

Having a one stop shop of GPs, nurses, physios, mental health workers and much more is a great investment for Woking and residents. I will continue working with NHS leaders to ensure that Woking gets the modern, accessible health it deserves.

Continuing to stand up for breweries and pubs

As many of us know, earlier this year our beloved brewery, Thurston’s closed its doors for the last time. This was Woking’s only local brewery, and whilst the owner - John - has managed to keep the Crown pub open next door, he’ll no longer be able to serve his own beers – much of the blame must fall on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

This tax means pubs and breweries are paying twice to get rid of glass bottles. If the government doesn’t abolish or amend EPR, we’ll continue to lose more of our beloved pubs and breweries if no change is made and I know that I am not the only one who is afraid of that future.

EPR has harmed countless local businesses, which is why I have continued to speak in Parliament against this economically damaging tax. I see how it is affecting the people of Woking. We have business owners struggling to survive and not only that but the loss of pubs and breweries is also a loss to our community. What is most astonishing is that our EPR tax is higher than anyone else in Europe!

That is why I have requested a roundtable meeting with other MPs and more importantly local business owners to come together to find the best path forward. I will not let the Government continue to be ignorant of the hardships of our local businesses.

Watch me question why our EPR tax is so much higher than Europe

Surrey has the third largest local authority spend on home-to-school transport in the country. Despite this, many parents and carers in Woking contact me because they are still struggling to get the home- to-school transport that their children need.

At the last count, Surrey County Council spent over £65 million on home-to-school transport in one year alone – most of which was on transport for children with special educational needs.

Because Surrey County Council has failed to properly invest in SEND school places, children are being forced to travel for their education. This pushes yet more cars onto our already congested road network and – and leaves the council with an astronomical transport bill.

The current system isn’t working for anyone – not parents, carers, taxpayers or the wider community. I've heard harrowing stories of children being directing onto unsafe routes, simply so the council can avoid providing transport. One young girl was told to walk down an unlit country lane with no pavement.

In Parliament, I’ve pushed for capital investment to build more SEND places – an invest-to-save approach that reduces transport costs and improves lives. With Surrey County Council being replaced in ten months, I’ll be working hard to ensure its failings aren't inherited by the new authority.

Watch my speech

As the Liberal Democrat MPs for Woking, Guildford and Surrey Heath, we are glad to finally get confirmation and clarification for council reorganisation in Surrey and the upcoming local elections next year.  

Elections will take place in May 2026, with new councils created in 2027.  

Surrey County Council, and all Borough and District Councils in Surrey will be abolished, and new West Surrey and East Surrey unitary councils will be established. Guildford, Runnymede, Spellthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking will be in the West Surrey Council, stretching from Haslemere to Staines.  

We are determined to work together across Surrey to ensure that this delivers for all local residents. 

However, we continue to have grave concerns over West Surrey’s financial sustainability. At the moment, it could be bankrupt from day one. We will continue to press the Government to ensure that this council won’t start on the back foot.  

Fortunately, the Government have acknowledged this position after endless lobbying and are writing off £500 million of this debt.  

Will Forster, Member of Parliament for Woking, said:  

“This is historic, the Government have never written off a local authority’s debt before. I am relieved that the Government have finally taken my advice and acknowledged that the Conservatives have failed Surrey and are willing to step in so that residents don’t suffer for years to come. 

“Though this won’t write off all the debt, it certainly is a step in the right direction. As Woking’s MP I will continue to push, with my colleagues, to ensure that this council isn’t saddled with historic debts. 

“Also, the Government have conceded that there will be a need for more support in the future.”  

About the upcoming elections Mr Forster added: 

“The cast iron guarantee that I asked for at PMQs has finally arrived, albeit a week later than I had hoped for. I am happy that Surrey residents have their democratic right restored and will be able to go to vote next May.” 

As the Liberal Democrat MPs for Woking, Guildford and Surrey Heath, we are glad to finally get confirmation and clarification for council reorganisation in Surrey and the upcoming local elections next year.  

Elections will take place in May 2026, with new councils created in 2027.  

Surrey County Council, and all Borough and District Councils in Surrey will be abolished, and new West Surrey and East Surrey unitary councils will be established. Guildford, Runnymede, Spellthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking will be in the West Surrey Council, stretching from Haslemere to Staines.  

We are determined to work together across Surrey to ensure that this delivers for all local residents. 

However, we continue to have grave concerns over West Surrey’s financial sustainability. At the moment, it could be bankrupt from day one. We will continue to press the Government to ensure that this council won’t start on the back foot.  

Fortunately, the Government have acknowledged this position after endless lobbying and are writing off £500 million of this debt.  

Will Forster, Member of Parliament for Woking, said:  

“This is historic, the Government have never written off a local authority’s debt before. I am relieved that the Government have finally taken my advice and acknowledged that the Conservatives have failed Surrey and are willing to step in so that residents don’t suffer for years to come. 

“Though this won’t write off all the debt, it certainly is a step in the right direction. As Woking’s MP I will continue to push, with my colleagues, to ensure that this council isn’t saddled with historic debts. 

“Also, the Government have conceded that there will be a need for more support in the future.”  

About the upcoming elections Mr Forster added: 

“The cast iron guarantee that I asked for at PMQs has finally arrived, albeit a week later than I had hoped for. I am happy that Surrey residents have their democratic right restored and will be able to go to vote next May.” 

Woking’s MP, Will Forster, has slammed the Prime Minister for refusing to guarantee that local elections will take place next May - leaving voters in the dark over whether they’ll get their say at the ballot box.

Speaking in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Forster demanded a cast iron guarantee that voters in Woking, and across the country, would not lose their democratic right to vote.

It comes after The Times reported that local elections could be delayed for the second year running. While the Leader of Surrey County Council has made clear he has not asked for elections in Surrey to be cancelled, other Conservative figures have reportedly done so elsewhere.

In response, the Prime Minister refused to rule out a delay - saying only that his government had inherited a bad local government position and would be setting out the planned timetable shortly. 

Will Forster said:

“It’s astonishing that the Prime Minister can’t even guarantee people the right to vote next May.

“People in Woking deserve their say at the ballot box — democracy must never be put on hold.”

Forster added that the uncertainty was “deeply worrying” and accused the government of “ducking accountability.”