Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her Department's timetable is for responding to submissions from local authorities in relation to local government reorganisation, received by 21 March 2025.

The government’s invitation on 5 February 2025 to two-tier authorities asked them to develop interim plans by 21 March 2025 for local government reorganisation. All proposals will be assessed against all the criteria in the invitation.

We are currently reviewing the interim plans that were submitted and providing feedback to support councils as they progress work on developing final proposals. Once a full proposal has been submitted it will be for the government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute.