Written question asked by Neil O'Brien (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2025 (named day). It was answered by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 January 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Local Government: Reform

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the evidential basis is for the expectation that reformed local authorities should generally have a population of 500,000 or more.

Answer: The overall case for local government reorganisation is set out the English Devolution White Paper. New unitary councils must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks. For most areas this will mean creating councils with a population of 500,000 or more, but there may be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area, including for devolution, and decisions will be on a case-by-case basis.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 21007
Session: 2024-26
Related items: English Devolution White Paper: Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth
Monday, 16 December 2024
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects: Local government Reform
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk