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The English Devolution White Paper (published on 16 December 2024) set out the government鈥檚 vision for simpler local government structures. Simpler structures can lead to better outcomes for residents, improved local accountability and savings which can then be reinvested in public services. Alongside the publication of the English Devolution White Paper on the 16 December, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, wrote to all councils in remaining two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries to set out plans for a joint programme of devolution and local government reorganisation.

On the 5 February 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister provided an as well as a list of places that had chosen to join the government鈥檚 Devolution Priority Programme. At the same time, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution issued a statutory invitation to all councils in 2-tier areas and small neighbouring unitary authorities to develop proposals for unitary local government. These will bring together lower and upper tier local government services in new unitary councils to deliver local government reorganisation. This invitation requested that councils produce interim plans and submit these to government by Friday 21 March, setting out their progress on developing proposals in line with the criteria and guidance.聽

On 24 March 2025, a was laid before Parliament.聽This set out that government received responses from all 21 areas invited.聽The statement also sets out that officials will follow up with areas to discuss their interim plans, provide feedback and understand the collaboration and information sharing arrangements.

It also set out that announce that 拢7.6 million will be made available in the form of local government reorganisation proposal development contributions, to be split across these 21 areas. This is the first time that capacity funding has been made available for reorganisation proposals, recognising the priority that this government attaches to this. Further information will be provided on how this will be allocated, and we intend to make payments as soon as possible.聽

Useful documents, including letters to councils, announcements and news items on the local government reorganisation programme will appear on this page.