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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to prevent cost-shunting from abolished district or county councils to town and parish councils as a consequence of unitary restructuring.

We know from previous reorganisations that unitarisation can unlock significant savings and efficiencies when strong, sustainable councils are set up. Most savings come from the back office, and this money can be reinvested into the frontline to improve public services for communities.

Town and parish councils are not in scope for local government reorganisation and will continue to operate as they do now. Central Government also has no role in funding town and parish councils.

Local authorities may wish to collaborate with their town and parish councils to determine how they can most effectively contribute to the delivery of services in future arrangements. In doing so, they may wish to consider the support town and parish councils will require to do so effectively.