Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Integrated Care Boards will be coterminous with unitary authority boundaries following the implementation of local government reforms.

As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, the Government recognises the benefits that aligned geographical boundaries can have for improving co-ordination between public services. Within integrated care systems, collaboration between local government and health partners is crucial to the delivery of high quality and efficient services for communities and patients. On 5 February 2025, the Government formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. As set out in the published statutory guidance, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens, and the views of other public sector providers will be crucial to understanding the best way to structure local government. Following submission of proposals, we will consider these carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed.