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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the answer of 15 January 2025 to the Urgent Question on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report column 344, if she will make it her policy that both district county councils in a two-tier area agree with the principle of restructuring as a condition of her agreeing to that restructuring.

The English Devolution White Paper set out our policy on local government reorganisation and our commitment to get on with delivering what areas need. We will expect all two tier areas and smaller or failing unitaries to develop proposals for reorganisation. All levels of local government have a part to play in bringing improved structures to their area through reorganisation, and we expect all councils in an area to work together to develop unitary proposals that are in the best interests of the whole area.