Written question asked by Lord Jamieson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Friday, 18 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Unitary Councils

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what is their position on the maximum permissible variance in electorate between wards in the new unitary councils.

Answer

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is independent of Government and accountable to Parliament. It reviews electoral and boundary arrangements for councils in England, including councillor numbers and the size and distribution of wards. The Commission can only conduct an electoral review once an authority exists in law. Where new councils are established, interim electoral arrangements will be included in the structural changes order. The Government will have regard to the Commission's published guidance on electoral reviews.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Secretary of State's oral statement of 7 September 2026. The Government has withdrawn the March 2026 decisions for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and paused activity in 14 areas while a full review of the local government reorganisation programme is conducted. We recognise the need for clarity and will set out next steps as soon as possible.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL3255
Session: 2026-27
Related items: Local Government Reorganisation
Monday, 7 September 2026
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons; Local Government: Reorganisation
Friday, 9 October 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Unitary councils
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Unitary Councils

Secondary information

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