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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what research has been (a) commissioned or (b) undertaken since July 2024 on the cost of unitary local government restructuring.

We know unitarisation can unlock significant savings and efficiencies when councils are of appropriate size and structure to be sustainable, deliver efficiencies and provide high-quality public services.

Exact costs and savings will vary depending on the area and the final decisions on which proposals, if any, are implemented. Local areas are best placed to bring forward proposals that reflect their circumstances.

We will analyse and assess proposals against the criteria we have set out. This includes sustainability, and how they will deliver efficiencies and high-quality public services. We have specifically said that proposals should be supported by robust evidence, including of estimated costs/benefits.