Local Government Reorganisation

Andrew Pakes Excerpts

Thursday 29th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Jim McMahon]

I will certainly make a note of that.

[Andrew Pakes (Peterborough) (Lab/Co-op)]

Peterborough is ambitious for growth and to improve life for our residents, so anything that extends this process risks knocking back some of that ambitious growth. I ask the Minister, can we do this as quickly as possible?

I think Peterborough is also unique in this process, in that we are already a unitary council and are being brought into a bigger process. We are consistently told that a decision has not been taken, but in July a review had already started. Can the Minister confirm whether any review has actually happened since the last one was started in July? Will it take a “minded to” decision for MPs, councillors and communities in Cambridgeshire to have a say on the options being considered?

[Jim McMahon]

With Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and also with West Sussex, we are still earlier in the process, so we will confirm in writing what that will be. However, all decisions will be “minded to”. My hon. Friend makes a very strong case about the economic benefits of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and that being built on strong foundations. Also, I congratulate him on his appointment as the Government’s co-operatives champion; he has always been my co-operatives champion, but it is nice that he has been recognised.