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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations his department has received on postponing local elections in May 2026 from (a) Blackburn with Darwen Council and (b) Hyndburn Council.

I wrote to Council Leaders on 18 December to invite them to set out their views on the potential postponement of local elections in their area, and if they consider that postponement would release essential capacity to deliver local government reorganisation.

All representations received are being taken into account before a final decision is made following a fair process. I will continue to update the House on this issue.