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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the costs incurred by local authorities in Essex in working on local government reorganisation plans since July 2024.

The Government recognises the significant work and resources committed by local authorities in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock to local government reorganisation. The activity to date and costs incurred by councils are being considered as part of the review of the local government reorganisation programme.

Previously, the Government provided £514,318 to support the development of local government reorganisation proposals in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. This formed part of £7.6 million made available in June 2025 to all councils in the LGR programme, the first time such funding had been provided to support the development of proposals.