The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has exceeded all government targets in the first year of its Integrated Settlement, creating 2,925 jobs and signing off 7,237 new homes under Mayor Richard Parker's devolution plan.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the WMCA created 2,925 high-growth sector jobs against a target of 995, supported 10,117 businesses compared to the expected 4,275, and helped 8,200 people with employment support — triple the 2,740 target. The authority also signed off on 7,237 new homes, surpassing the government's requirement of 6,800 properties in the 2025/26 financial year.
Mayor Richard Parker on the Results
Mayor Richard Parker said the figures showed "what changes when a region is trusted to deliver," adding: "We were set tough targets by government, and we have gone well past them." He highlighted the dramatic improvement in housing delivery, noting that only 93 homes were built in the two years before he took office. "We are now getting the diggers in the ground and the spades in the soil," he said.
The West Midlands was one of only two regions given the first devolution settlement worth around £389 million, granting greater powers over key services. Parker declared: "This is a region that has found its stride — ready to be trusted with more, ready for the next stage of devolution."
Impact and Next Steps
The job creation figures represent nearly three times the promised number, while business support more than doubled expectations. Employment support reached three times the target, indicating significant progress in workforce development. The housing delivery, though still below long-term needs, marks a substantial increase from previous years. The WMCA aims to continue accelerating housing construction and economic growth under the devolution deal.
