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 Government's decision of 7 September 2026 to withdraw the decision on local government reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, whether maintaining existing local government arrangements in Essex will be considered as an option as part of the review.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s oral statement of 7 September 2026. The government has withdrawn the March 2026 decision for Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock and is undertaking a full review of the local government reorganisation programme. We recognise the need for clarity and will set out next steps as soon as possible.