Written question asked by Bernard Jenkin (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 (named day). It was answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 January 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Elections: Essex

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his decision for postpone the Mayoral election in Essex, if he will make an estimate of the cost to local authorities of the preparations for that election, including the (a) the actual disbursement of local authorities which cannot be reclaimed and (b) value of the time worked on preparations for those elections by local authority officers and employees.

Answer: No assessment has been made by central government. Spend on these elections is a matter for the relevant local authorities.

Secondary information