A majority of MPs have voted in favour of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill at its second reading.
Some 365 MPs backed the Bill yesterday, with 164 members opposing the changes.
Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said the Bill marked a ‘new era' for Britain as the reforms would empower communities and enable people to have a ‘bigger say in shaping their local area'.
Rayner added: ‘This Bill will drive the biggest transfer of power in a generation out of Whitehall to our regions and communities.'
However, shadow local government secretary Sir James Cleverly criticised the reforms, warning they would create a ‘cohort of puppet mayors'.
