The West of England Combined Authority was established in February 2017 as part of the region's devolution deal, bringing together three local authorities: Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, and South Gloucestershire Council. It is led by Helen Godwin, Mayor for the West of England, who was elected in May 2025.

The Mayor and Combined Authority hold devolved powers over transport, skills, economic development and planning, and control an investment fund with the government allocating £30m per year over 30 years.

The West of England is an economically successful region, with one of the highest employment rates in the country at 79% and over 45,000 businesses. The region's strong economic foundations are built on five priority sectors that will drive growth over the next decade, including advanced manufacturing, a thriving creative and digital sector, alongside strengths in clean energy and life sciences, and the foundational everyday economy.

Child Poverty Action Plan

Published in December 2025, WECA's Child Poverty Action Plan sets out a package of measures to tackle the cost of living, support children to grow and learn, and connect residents to opportunity. It is delivered through a new regional Child Poverty Partnership Board co-chaired by the Mayor, focusing on reducing family costs, connecting young people to services, and pioneering new policy approaches.

West of England Growth Strategy

Launched in September 2025, WECA's ten-year Growth Strategy targets 28% economic growth and 72,000 new jobs, with investments including a £500 million Land Acquisition Fund to tackle the housing crisis and the UK's first AI Supercluster. It is underpinned by six priority areas - national economic growth, transport, housing, skills, green jobs, and poverty reduction - with 66 specific actions shaped through consultation with businesses and communities.

Get West of England Working Plan

The Get West of England Working Plan aims to ensure that by 2035 every resident can access good work, employers have the skilled workforce they need, and young people have clear pathways into education and employment. Developed as a key delivery plan for the Growth Strategy and in response to the national Get Britain Working agenda, it was shaped by a wide range of regional stakeholders and partners.