Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire

What was the result of the 2025 Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election? 

Luke Campbell was the winner of the May 2025 Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election. Campbell represents the Reform UK party and was previously a professional boxer. 

Campbell’s highest share of the vote was in Hull (39%) and their lowest was in the East Riding of Yorkshire (34%). 

The overall turnout for the 2025 Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election was 29.9%. Turnout was highest in the East Riding of Yorkshire (32.1%) and lowest in Hull (26.4%).

Other candidates were Anne Handley (Conservative), ⁷⁰ Spence A, ‘Leader of East Riding Council set to run for Hull & East Yorkshire Mayor’, Hull Live, 23 October 2024, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/leader-east-riding-council-set-9657224  Mike Ross (Liberal Democrat), ⁷¹ Blackburn R, ‘Mike Ross announced as Lib Dem candidate for Hull and East Yorkshire mayoralty’, The Yorkshire Post, 19 November 2024, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/mike-ross-announced-as-lib-dem-candidate-for-hull-and-east-yorkshire-mayoralty-4872169  Margaret Pinder (Labour), ⁷² Spence A, ‘Labour announce candidate for Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election’, Hull Live, 20 December 2024, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/labour-announce-candidate-hull-east-9810621  Kerry Harrison (Green Party), ⁷³ Brown J, ‘The Green Party has today announced Kerry Harrison as its candidate for the Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election taking place in May 2025.’ Green Party Hull and East Riding, 23 December 2024, retrieved 14 January 2025, https://hullandeastriding.greenparty.org.uk/2024/12/23/the-green-party-has-today-announced-kerry-harrison-as-its-candidate-for-the-hull-and-east-york…  and Rowan Halstead (Yorkshire Party). ⁷⁴ Halstead R, ‘Rowan Halstead to be Yorkshire Party candidate for East Yorkshire mayor’, Yorkshire Party, 30 January 2025, retrieved 17 February 2025, www.yorkshireparty.org.uk/news-1/rowan-halstead-to-be-our-candidate-for-east-yorks-mayor

What is the history of devolution to Hull and East Yorkshire?

From 1974 to 1996, Hull and East Yorkshire was part of the county of Humberside. Humberside was abolished in 1996 and split into four unitary authorities – Hull City, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

These four unitary authorities and the Humber local enterprise partnership (LEP) signed a ‘city deal’ with the government in 2013. ⁷⁵ Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street, Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and Cabinet Office, City Deal: Hull & Humber, 13 December 2013, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.gov.uk/government/publications/city-deal-hull-humber  The Hull and Humber City Deal aimed to provide economic growth, increase skills and improve job opportunities through new funding and powers for the region.

Several proposals for devolution to Hull and East Yorkshire have been explored in recent years. A campaign for a ‘One Yorkshire’ devolution deal gained support from 18 of the region’s councils, but was rejected by the government in 2019. ⁷⁶ BBC News, ‘Government rejects “One Yorkshire” devolution deal’, BBC News, 12 February 2019, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-47214592  The government then pursued a cross-Humber combined authority, which was supported by Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. ⁷⁷ Bunn J, ‘Leader backs county-wide devo over “only option” Humber deal’, LGC, 6 March 2020, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.lgcplus.com/politics/devolution-and-economic-growth/leader-backs-county-wide-devo-over-only-option-humber-deal-06-03-2020  This proposal was dropped in 2020, because North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire councils favoured forming a Greater Lincolnshire combined authority. ⁷⁸ Young A, ‘Hull and East Riding council leaders back diluted devolution deal’, Hull Live, 12 March 2020, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/devolution-deal-hull-east-riding-3944912

Attention then turned to plans for a combined authority for Hull and East Yorkshire.  

With concern that Hull and East Yorkshire faced being left behind as the only area in Yorkshire without a deal, ⁷⁹ Gerrard J, ‘Leader scotches Hull merger “myth” as East Riding councillors back mayor plan’, Hull Live, 30 June 2023, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/councillors-unite-behind-east-yorkshire-8561209  a mayoral devolution deal was agreed in November 2023. ⁸⁰ Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Hull and East Yorkshire devolution deal, 22 November 2023, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.gov.uk/government/publications/hull-and-east-yorkshire-devolution-deal  The two councils voted to proceed with the deal in May and June 2024 ⁸¹ Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, ‘Full Council approves final draft Order for Hull and East Yorkshire Devolution’ Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, 21 June 2024, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.hullandeastyorkshire.gov.uk/news/article/2/full-council-approves-final-draft-order-for-hull-and-east-yorkshire-devolution  and it was signed off by the government on 19 September 2024. ⁸² East Riding of Yorkshire Council, ‘3. Devolution timeline’ East Riding of Yorkshire Council, (no date) retrieved 14 January 2025, www.eastriding.gov.uk/council/devolution/about-devolution/devolution-timeline

The statutory instrument to create the MCA – the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025 – was laid before parliament on 4 December 2024 ⁸³ ‘Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025’, UK Parliament, retrieved 14 January 2025, https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/hG0jNTD1  and came into force on 5 February 2025. ⁸⁴ McMahon J, ‘English devolution and local government: statement made on 5 February: statement UIN HCWS418’, UK Parliament, 5 February 2025, retrieved 18 February 2025, https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-02-05/hcws418  

What is the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority?

The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) is a legal body bringing together two local authorities: Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

HEYCA is chaired by the new mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire. Each local authority is a ‘constituent member’ of the combined authority and appoints two representatives. ⁹³ The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025 (draft), legislation.gov.uk, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348266740  There are also up to four non-constituent members without voting rights, including a representative of the business board and the Humberside police and crime commissioner. ⁹⁴ Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, ‘Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Proposal: Appendix 1 – Governance Arrangements’ Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, (no date) retrieved 14 January 2025, www.hullandeastyorkshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/8/appendix-1-governance-arrangements  

The Hull and East Yorkshire area had a population of 622,000 ⁹⁵ Office for National Statistics, ‘Estimates of the population for England and Wales (Mid-2023)’, 15 July 2024, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/estimatesofthepopulationforenglandandwales  in 2023 and a gross value added (GVA) of £13.4bn in 2021. ⁹⁶ Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Hull and East Yorkshire devolution deal, 22 November 2023, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.gov.uk/government/publications/hull-and-east-yorkshire-devolution-deal

With the establishment of both Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority and Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, there are plans to encourage continued pan-Humber working by creating a new mayoral joint committee. ⁹⁷ Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, ‘Continued Pan Humber Working’ Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, (no date) retrieved 14 January 2025, www.hullandeastyorkshire.gov.uk/combined-authority/hull-east-yorkshire-combined-authority-proposal/6  This will comprise of the two mayors, council leaders and representatives from local businesses. It will build on the work of the Humber Leadership Board. 

What powers do the mayor and the combined authority hold?

The mayor and combined authority hold devolved powers focused on economic development, skills, transport, and housing and planning.

HEYCA controls an investment fund of £13.3m per year for 30 years. ⁹⁸ Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Hull and East Yorkshire devolution deal, 22 November 2023, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.gov.uk/government/publications/hull-and-east-yorkshire-devolution-deal  The mayor has the powers to charge a business rates supplement for projects promoting economic development and set a council tax precept for mayoral functions.

The combined authority is responsible for the adult skills fund from the academic year 2026/27, subject to meeting the government’s readiness conditions. HEYCA will also provide input into the area’s local skills improvement plan.

The combined is the local transport authority for the area and holds responsibilities concurrently with the constituent councils until 31 March 2026. The mayor is responsible for drawing up a local transport plan and for a multi-year consolidated local transport settlement. They also have the power to franchise bus services. HEYCA coordinates a key route network of roads on the mayor’s behalf.

The mayor is able to establish mayoral development corporations (MDCs), subject to consent from the lead member from the council(s) where they would operate. The combined authority and mayor have land assembly and compulsory purchase powers, also subject to the agreement of the relevant constituent council(s).

The combined authority is also able to become the area’s heat network zoning coordinator and to take on a local authority health improvement duty concurrent with the local authorities.

The mayor and combined authority’s powers are likely to increase over time. In December 2024, the government published its English devolution white paper, which set out plans for the devolution of further powers across a range of areas, including transport, skills and employment support, strategic planning, and local growth. ⁹⁹ Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, English Devolution White Paper: Power and partnership: Foundations for growth, CP 1218, The Stationery Office, 16 December 2024, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-devolution-white-paper-power-and-partnership-foundations-for-growth  The white paper also set out the criteria to become an ‘Established Mayoral Strategic Authority’, which would enable HEYCA to access additional powers and a single-pot ‘integrated’ funding settlement. ¹⁰⁰ Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, English Devolution White Paper: Power and partnership: Foundations for growth, CP 1218, The Stationery Office, 16 December 2024, retrieved 14 January 2025, www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-devolution-white-paper-power-and-partnership-foundations-for-growth

How does HEYCA compare to the rest of the UK in terms of social and economic outcomes?

Hull and East Yorkshire underperforms on core economic indicators. Productivity and pay in the two local authorities are below the UK average, although East Riding of Yorkshire performs better than Hull.

The region performs below the national average on its employment rate, male healthy life expectancy, skills and key stage two attainment. There is significant variation between the two local authorities on some measures. For example, 48.0% of 16–64 year olds in Hull have a level three qualification or above, compared to 61.3% in East Riding of Yorkshire.

The proportion of housing which meets the decent homes standard in the region is substantially lower than the national average of 77.1%. 62.2% of homes in East Riding of Yorkshire and 65.6% of homes in Hull meet the standard.

The region has a high level of digital connectivity. 98.4% of total premises in Hull and 78.3% in East Riding of Yorkshire have gigabit availability, both exceeding the UK average of 76.0%. 

How does HEYCA overlap with other administrative boundaries?

The HEYCA area is not coterminous with police force or fire and rescue service areas. Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue Services extend beyond the combined authority area to also cover North and North East Lincolnshire.  

The area’s integrated care board – Humber and North Yorkshire ICB – also includes North and North East Lincolnshire as well as York and North Yorkshire. Hull and East Yorkshire falls within the wider Yorkshire and Humber Department for Education region. ¹⁰⁵ ‘Regional Director for Yorkshire and Humber: Alison Wilson’ (no date) retrieved 14 January 2025, www.gov.uk/government/people/alison-wilson

The HEYCA area is coterminous with the former Hull and East Yorkshire local enterprise partnership, which ceased operations when the government’s core funding for LEPs ended in April 2024. ¹⁰⁶ Davison D and Hollinrake K, Letter to LEP Chairs, Combined Authority Mayors, Local Authority Leaders and the Mayor of London: Transfer of Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Core Functions to Combined and Local Authorities, 4 August 2023, retrieved 21 November 2024, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1176374/Transfer_of_LEP_core_functions_-_LEP_chairs_m… The former LEP’s functions are being taken on by the combined authority. ¹⁰⁷ Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, ‘Business board’ Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, (no date) retrieved 14 January 2025, www.hullandeastyorkshire.gov.uk/business-board

The Humber Freeport – a special port where normal tax and customs rules do not apply – covers four major ports on both sides of the Humber, extending into North and North East Lincolnshire. ¹⁰⁸ Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Humber Freeport: Britain’s Global Gateway, Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, (no date) retrieved 14 January 2025, www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/assets/documents/Humber_Freeport_Fact_Sheet.pdf