The petition of residents of the constituency of Mid Leicestershire,
Declares that the petitioners oppose any proposal to extend the boundaries of Leicester City Council in a manner that would incorporate the communities of Braunstone Town, Thorpe Astley, Leicester Forest East, Kirby Muxloe, Glenfield, Anstey, Thurcaston, Cropston, Birstall and Wanlip into the City of Leicester; and further declares that these communities possess distinct identities, histories and local governance arrangements, and that any boundary changes which remove them from their existing district and parish structures would undermine local representation and community cohesion.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to halt and reconsider and proposals to the expansion of Leicester City Council’s boundaries, and to ensure that the views of local residents are fully considered before any changes are implemented, thereby protecting the character, identity and independence of the aforementioned communities.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr Peter Bedford, Official Report, 8 September 2026; Vol. 790, c. 1015.]
[P003235]
Petitions in the same terms were presented by the hon. Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston (Neil O’Brien) [P003239], and the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Alicia Kearns) [P003240].
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Jim McMahon): On 7 September 2026, the Government paused the local government reorganisation programme and announced a rapid review to ensure it aligned with the priorities of the new Administration. The review tested the programme’s framework, objectives and February 2025 criteria. The first phase of the review is now complete. It concluded that the basis of the programme remains robust, and that the existing criteria continue to support the Government’s priorities. The Government are committed to local government reorganisation, with strong, sustainable local government providing a foundation for devolution and the “rewiring the state” agenda.
Alongside considering the programme as a whole, the Government have considered each area individually. There is a significant volume of information and evidence to consider in depth, and while it has been possible to reach a “minded to” position in some areas, more time is needed in others. Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland is one of those areas, and the previous decision has been withdrawn to allow that further consideration to take place. This does not predetermine the outcome—all options and proposals remain under consideration. The Government recognise the strength of feeling about local government reorganisation, both from those who have raised concerns and those who support proposals. They will continue to take those views into account as they give full and careful consideration to local government reorganisation in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, and will provide clarity at the earliest practical opportunity.
Observations from the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE.
The Government recognise the value that communities place on direct links to regional transport hubs such as Manchester airport.
Given this, I am pleased to confirm that West Midlands Trains is working on plans to extend its existing Crewe-Stoke-Stafford service—already due to be extended to Birmingham in December 2026—to Manchester airport, possibly as early as May 2027, giving the people of Stoke a direct service for the first time.
As well as direct services between the west midlands, Staffordshire and the airport, the new service would offer improved rail connectivity to the south of the airport, later evening trains on the route, extending the timetable by two hours, and an uplift to the Sunday service frequency between Crewe and the airport.
It could also provide an additional hourly train on the busy Stafford-Birmingham rail corridor and a second train per hour on weekdays and a new Sunday service for Darlaston and Willenhall stations.
It would also significantly reduce the public subsidy required to operate local train services in the Crewe area by linking them together to form a strategically important commercial route.