Local Government Reorganisation

John Whittingdale Excerpts
Thursday 26th March 2026

(1 day, 8 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alison McGovern Portrait Alison McGovern
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I am always glad to meet the Father of the House. We will just make sure that it is done within the process for taking decisions.

John Whittingdale Portrait Sir John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con)
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How does the Minister expect local authorities in Essex to be ready for elections for unitaries in a year’s time, while at the same time undertaking local government reorganisation, creating a new Greater Essex integrated care board for the NHS, dealing with unprecedented demand for social care, and implementing the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill? As Essex county council has said, the breakneck speed of change across the board is simply unmanageable. Will the Minister even now rethink this proposal, and call off elections for the new unitaries next year?