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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what lessons her Department has identified from the previous process for local government reorganisation in Essex that will inform the review of the local government reorganisation programme.

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 The government has withdrawn the March 2026 decision for Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock and is undertaking a full review of the local government reorganisation programme.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.