Local government reorganisation: Policy and programme updates
News updates and supporting documents relating to the government’s ambitious programme of local government reorganisation in England.
The English Devolution White Paper published on 16 December 2024 set out the government’s vision for simpler local government structures which can lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant public funds which can be reinvested in public services, and improve local accountability.
On 16 December 2024, following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon wrote to all councils in remaining two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries to set out plans for a joint programme of devolution and local government reorganisation.
On 6 February 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister, announced the list of places that have come forward to join the government’s Devolution Priority Programme, with a view to mayoral elections in May 2026, alongside an update on local government reorganisation and decisions on requests to postpone local elections.
To deliver local government reorganisation, on 6 February 2025 the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, has issued a statutory invitation to all councils in two-tier areas and small neighbouring unitary authorities to develop unitary proposals - which will bring together lower and upper tier local government services in new unitary councils.
The invitation letter sets out the criteria against which proposals will be assessed and further guidance on what information the proposals should include.
Areas are being invited to submit initial plans in the spring, followed by full proposals later in the year. The established assessment and decision-making process will then be followed to as to which if any of the proposals submitted are to be implemented.
Useful documents, announcements and news items on the local government reorganisation programme will appear on this page.