Oral Answers to Questions

Jeremy Wright Excerpts

Thursday 22nd October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Blake Stephenson (Mid Bedfordshire) (Con)]

7. What assessment the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has made of the potential impact of the pause of local government reorganisation on boundary reviews in the areas involved.

[Sir Jeremy Wright (Kenilworth and Southam)]

The Local Government Boundary Commission paused boundary reviews in areas affected by local government reorganisation proposals in February of last year, so the Government’s recent review of those proposals has not had any immediate practical impact. The commission will return to those boundary reviews when the reorganisation proposals are resolved.

[Blake Stephenson]

The Government’s management of local government reorganisation must have cost the taxpayer millions of pounds. Can my right hon. and learned Friend advise, if not on the Floor of the House, in writing, whether there is also a financial cost to the Local Government Boundary Commission?

[Sir Jeremy Wright]

I will write to my hon. Friend if there is anything to add to what I am about to say, but as he will appreciate, the delay will have a practical impact because all those waiting for such a review will have to wait rather longer. The boundary review can only review proposals for change when a new authority is legally established, which has not yet happened.

The Leader of the House, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—