Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the criteria are for a town to gain city status.
Answered by Chloe Smith
City status is a rare distinction conferred by the Queen acting on the advice of ministers. When a competition for city status is held, criteria are not specified as the qualities which towns possess are extremely varied and every application is judged on its merits.