Plans for a major reorganisation of local government have been put on hold after the government received new

TL;DR

Plans for a major reorganisation of local government have been put on hold after the government received new legal advice that suggested they might not comply with the law. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the review is to ensure the process is robust and aligns with the new government’s aim to “rewire the state”, and follows “updated and privileged legal advice”. The reorganisation plans, announced in December 2024, proposed the abolition of the current two-tier system of districts and counties in favour of a smaller number of unitary authorities – or so-called “mega councils” – covering large geographical areas.