Local Government Reorganisation

Debate between Angela Rayner and Charlotte Cane

Monday 7th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Angela Rayner]

I have to say that I am not a big fan of referendums, if I am really honest. That is my personal opinion, but I am open to having discussions about how we can make sure that the hon. Member’s local residents feel like they are engaged and see the benefits of local government reform. That is my ultimate aim as part of this process, and I look forward to working with him on that endeavour.

[Charlotte Cane (Ely and East Cambridgeshire) (LD)]

I draw Members’ attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests: I am a district councillor on East Cambs district council. The residents of Ely and East Cambridgeshire will be relieved that they are not going to have the wrong unitary imposed on them, but they will be worried about the chaos and uncertainty that we have heard about, and about what happens next and when. What is the remit of the review? How is it going to be run to ensure that local people get their voices heard? And what is the real timetable? “As quickly as possible” and “at pace” are all great, but what is the actual timetable? Also, the Secretary of State appeared to say that May’s elections would be held on the existing district council boundaries unless the unitaries were in place by then. What did she mean by that?

[Angela Rayner]

I have asked the Minister for local government, devolution and regional growth to undertake a rapid review of the local government reorganisation programme. That is a review regarding the decisions that were announced in March and July, and the two remaining areas of West Sussex, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. I have said that the review will cover 18 decisions already taken and the two areas where decisions have not yet been made. I want the programme to be reviewed at pace and will report back to Parliament at the earliest opportunity.