Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what the consideration they have given to postponing local elections on 7 May, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic; and if so, what is their assessment of the last day on which a decision must be announced in order for any such postponement to take place.

Further to the Written Ministerial Statement HLWS169 which I laid on 19 March 2020, the Government has confirmed that the scheduled local, mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections that were due to take place on 7 May this year will be postponed until the next ordinary day of election on 6 May 2021.

Other polls that had already been set for dates from 16 March 2020 and which arise over coming weeks and months will also be addressed in legislation being brought forward as part of the Coronavirus Bill.

The decision was taken following advice from the Government’s medical experts in relation to the response to the Covid-19 virus and the advice of those delivering elections.