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1. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   Absolutely; the Minister and I will happily meet my hon. Friend as part of this programme. The new Prime Minister has made absolutely clear that we want growth in every postcode; in order for the UK—and England in particular—to raise its growth agenda, every area needs to feel that. The Chancellor made a statement earlier today about how he sees that as a priority and about devolution being part of that programme. We will be in touch with my hon. Friend to support his area.

   Hansard source
2. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   I am glad to have pleased the right hon. Member; I do not think I have ever done that before. Of course, I am happy to work with him going forward, and you never know—I might even visit the New Forest, without the split.

   Hansard source
3. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   I am absolutely committed to making sure that areas such as Chorley and Lancashire more widely get local government reform, and that we take that forward. This is a pause. I have not taken that decision lightly, but I want to review the decisions and make sure, for my peace of mind as Secretary of State, that I have got this absolutely right; that I have taken on board the legal advice given to me recently; and that I can go to the Prime Minister, who tasked me last week with reviewing these decisions, and say that I have reviewed them and we are making the right decisions. I accept that I will not get the consent of everybody around the House, but I want to make sure that I have at least heard everybody’s views.

   Hansard source
4. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   This Government have recognised that, after 14 years of failure by the Conservatives, local government had faced the brunt of austerity, and we put in additional funding. We also recognise that the most important thing about local government reorganisation is delivering better services for local people. The Prime Minister has recognised that in terms of devolution. We recognise the investment that has gone in—that is why we put transitional funding in place to support councils—and I want to work to get this policy right, because I absolutely believe that it will be the best thing for the hon. Member’s constituents.

   Hansard source
5. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   My Department will be reaching out to local authorities and the areas affected to make sure that we are taking into account all the information that we have at hand. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, is willing to meet representatives of the local area to ensure that we get this right. I do not want this review to go on for a considerable time; I want to do it rapidly, but I want to be reassured that the decisions we are making are the right ones.

   Hansard source
6. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   None of that is progressing.

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7. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   I agree with my hon. Friend. In our past lives, we worked in local government and on local government policy for some time. We have to take time to get this policy right, and he is right to make the distinction between local government reform and devolution, but the two can intertwine to help us on our way. This review does not impact on the timetable for devolution. Unitary local government can help with smoothing the functions of strategic authorities, but that is not a prerequisite.

   Hansard source
8. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   One of the challenges that rural areas face is transport. One of the reasons that the Prime Minister has been so eager to make sure that devolution happens is that those who are closest to what is going on in their local area know what challenges are being faced and how we can unlock some of the potential, and Devon can take the positives from that. We want to work with Devon to make sure that people in Devon get the right local devolution and local government reform for them. That is why I paused the decision.

   Hansard source
9. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

   Local Government Reorganisation

   My hon. Friend is right to mention what happened under the Conservatives. This Labour Government recognised what local government had been through, and took steps to build back resilience and deal with funding pressures. For me, local government reform is about ensuring that people receive the right services at the right level and that we can deliver the best for their local areas, and that, hopefully, is what we will be able to do. I still believe in and am committed to local government reform; I just want to make sure that we get this right.

   Hansard source
10. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Again, Madam Deputy Speaker, let me gently say that this is not a U-turn. This is me, as Secretary of State, reviewing the position and ensuring that we get this right. I still believe that local government reform in the right hon. Lady’s area in particular can deliver for her constituents, and I want them to engage with us. We have provided transitional funding to give support, and her local authorities and those in her local areas can get in touch with my Department to discuss it.

    Hansard source
11. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    The Prime Minister has been clear about what he wants to see in terms of our devolution agenda, and we will be taking that forward. As I have said, this will be a rapid review. I want to make sure that that is done and that the decisions are the right decisions, but we are moving forward with devolution, and we will be engaging with those in my hon. Friend’s area so that they can unlock their full potential.

    Hansard source
12. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Let me gently say to the right hon. Member that, as I have already said, I think that local government reform can unlock potential for areas, but we want to do this with areas, and, indeed, to look into how we can deliver for his area and improve services for his local constituents.. There are opportunities, but sometimes there is duplication, so I welcome that discussion. As for taking forward the devolution agenda, I do not envisage that being interrupted by this process.

    Hansard source
13. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I thank my hon. Friend and members of her local community for engaging in local government reform. I reiterate from the Dispatch Box my commitment to that, but we need to make sure that we get it right. The example that I can give, especially to the young people in her area, is that if they feel that they do not have all the information, it is okay to say so and to take that forward in the correct way. That is the right and correct way forward. We are committed to providing transitional funding, and I urge my hon. Friend and her local leaders to be in touch with my Department so that we can take a look at this issue.

    Hansard source
14. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I want to give clarity to the hon. Gentleman and his local leaders, and I will review the situation at pace to make sure that we are able to do so.

    Hansard source
15. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Absolutely. As the Prime Minister set out, it is really important that every area and every postcode feels the benefits of growth and that we can unlock potential through devolution. Local government reform is part of that process but not the only bit. I believe that we will put areas in a strong position through devolution, and that we will be able to deliver better services for her local area and start to repair some of the damage that was done by the cuts to local government under the previous Government.

    Hansard source
16. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I recognise what local government has been through after 14 years of the Conservatives—in fact, I think the hon. Gentleman’s party was involved at the time. In trying to recognise the challenges that areas face, I believe that what I am saying today about local government reorganisation does not impact on the timetable for devolution. I believe that that will go ahead, and unitary local government can help with the smooth functioning of strategic authorities.

    Hansard source
17. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I appreciate my hon. Friend’s frustration, but I have considered the legal advice provided as part of the judicial review process. The Prime Minister asked me to review this process, and I took the decision that I needed more time. I really appreciate how that has left people, and their frustration. This is not the end of local government reform. We remain committed to unitary councils, and the review will consider proposals for how best to deliver unitary councils in this Parliament, and to ensure alignment with the priorities of the new Administration.

    Hansard source
18. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Devolution can unlock funding and potential, but an area does not necessarily need to have a mayor. I think the Prime Minister outlined that in his statement, when he took questions for over three hours; the hon. Member should look back at that. This is about making sure that devolution can be unlocked for areas at the pace they wish. As I said in my statement, I do not believe that this pause will have an impact on people’s ability to continue with the devolution agenda.

    Hansard source
19. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    My hon. Friend is right that we have to review the process and learn lessons. As I said to the right hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire (Steve Barclay), we are announcing our new permanent secretary, who I am sure will be listening to this debate and will want to take this forward. I want to place on record my thanks to the dedicated, professional public servants from both central and local government who have worked on this, and to my predecessor. I want to reassure the House that I have taken this action, as Secretary of State, to ensure that I have all the facts, so that I can make the decision.

    Hansard source
20. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I have said that the review is on and the elections are on, and I am ready to get on with it. I am sure that the right hon. Member will work with me to make sure we get it sorted—and it is on.

    Hansard source
21. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I reassure my hon. Friend that I have said that this review should be rapid, and that we should get on as quickly as possible with engagement, but also that the timetable for devolution should not be affected. We need to make sure that we make the right decisions on local government reform, but we want to take forward devolution at pace.

    Hansard source
22. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    No. What I have said is that I have reviewed the decisions. I have said on record that people across Norfolk, and representatives from across the whole conurbation, have put in a great amount of work. I want to respect that work, as the new Secretary of State, and make sure that I am listening, that I have reviewed the decisions, and that I am making the correct ones. I do not believe that is a waste of the time and resources that have been put in. I believe that local government reform is an opportunity for Norfolk. I will work with local leaders at pace to give them certainty. I wanted to ensure, out of respect for their work, that I take that work into consideration, as Secretary of State.

    Hansard source
23. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Again, I say to my hon. Friend that I recognise the work that has gone in. That work is not wasted. The pause will be about working with local areas at pace to get this right, but it does not mean that we cannot take advantage of unlocking growth in every postcode. The Ministers here will be happy to work with my hon. Friend and other hon. Members from his area to ensure that we get the right devolution, and a package that works for them.

    Hansard source
24. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Again, I want to reassure the hon. Member that this is about getting the process right. I want him and those local organisations to get in contact with my officials, so that we can be sure that we are doing everything possible to support the process. I have said that unitary local government can help with the smooth functioning of strategic authorities. I also recognise that the Government are committed to providing transition funding, so please go ahead and get in touch with my Department.

    Hansard source
25. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I absolutely provide that reassurance. I needed that time. With the advice that I received during the judicial review process, and with the Prime Minister asking me to look at this again, it was only right that I did so, in a timely way. As I have reiterated, I am absolutely clear that I want to take this forward. Local government reform is a priority, and I want to undertake it at pace, as do Members across the House, including my hon. Friend and his local leaders.

    Hansard source
26. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I am sorry, but I am not sure that I love the hon. Gentleman, but I love something—and Worcestershire. I apologise. I do know what I am doing. I know that this has been a disappointment for some areas. I do not make this statement to the House lightly, but I am doing this, in all sincerity, to get it right. I hope that hon. Members from across Worcestershire and every other area where we are looking at local government reorganisation appreciate that. Even if I cannot say “I love you”, hopefully the hon. Gentleman will be able to say that he loves me at the end of this process.

    Hansard source
27. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    My hon. Friend is right that devolution can happen at pace, and that it will unlock potential. I am sure that the Minister will be happy to meet him and my colleagues from No. 10 North to ensure that we unlock the potential of his area.

    Hansard source
28. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I gently say to the hon. Member that while I appreciate she uses language like “shock and anger”, it was important to me, as Secretary of State, to make the right decision, so I came to this House and spoke to hon. Members to ensure that I do that. I still believe that local government reform will unlock potential for the hon. Member’s area. I want to ensure that I am doing this with local people’s consent; I know that we cannot get everyone’s consent, but I absolutely believe that we can design services that will improve her area. We have committed to providing transition funding. Hopefully, through local government reform, we can transform some of the thorny issues that have been around for a long time, like adult social care, as the Prime Minister said, and build resilience at a local level.

    Hansard source
29. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Absolutely. Last week, I said clearly that I recognised the work of those in local government, and how difficult this has been for our local government colleagues, given the changes that have happened in our communities and the demands and pressures put on local government. I absolutely believe that local government is critical to ensuring that we get the devolution agenda right, and that we must build back resilience at a local level, so that councils can carry on delivering excellent services to their residents.

    Hansard source
30. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I will not drop it, because I believe that the people of Essex and people all over England deserve good local services. Where there is something that I believe will improve local services and is worth exploring with local leaders, whether in Essex or elsewhere, I am up for that challenge. I am not ready to drop it. I think we can work together to improve local services, and I would be happy to meet the right hon. Gentleman, or any of his local leaders, to progress that.

    Hansard source
31. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Well, Madam Deputy Speaker, Sherwood Forest and a local country park—I am really up for that. When I was in the Lake district over the bank holiday weekend, though, I managed to fall halfway down a mountain—that is why my legs are not used to bouncing up and down at the moment, because my knees are not so good—so I am hoping that the park will be a bit flatter and that the gradient will be a little better for me. My hon. Friend asks if we can meet, and I am sure that the relevant Minister will be happy to meet her to discuss how we can progress, ensuring that her area, including Sherwood Forest, benefits from devolution and local government.

    Hansard source
32. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Again, at the moment I can give the hon. Member an assurance that I am looking at the areas, and that I will look to ensure that all the consultation, information and advice is correct and that we are making robust decisions. I want to ensure that I do that. I am happy for him to be in contact with the relevant Minister or myself to ensure that we hear what he is saying about that process, but I have heard him today.

    Hansard source
33. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Again, I do recognise the frustration that my hon. Friend has expressed at parts of this process. I want to ensure that we take this forward and that it is robust, and that is why I have come to this House to say that I want to review the decisions on the basis of the legal advice provided as part of the JR process. I want to ensure that the rationale for those that go forward, including the 14 other areas, is absolutely watertight. I ask my hon. Friend to meet the Ministers as part of this process and we can iron out some of those concerns.

    Hansard source
34. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I think it is fair to say that there is a very strong argument and rationale for it. I will make sure that the review happens speedily and that we can give those reassurances as part of the process after the review.

    Hansard source
35. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Again, we will ensure within the review that people are engaged in the process. I say to my hon. Friend that local government reform is challenging and complex, but the aim for me is to deliver better services for local people. That means building the homes that we desperately need and renewing our high streets, which this Government are taking forward. We can deliver better services, we can reorganise and we can do better. I believe that working with local leaders is the way forward to deliver for the people of this country. I am committed to local government reform, and I want to make sure that we get it right. That is why I have made the decision to have the review.

    Hansard source
36. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I pay tribute to the hon. Lady’s local leaders and the work that they are doing in local government. I recognise the challenges that they face, and I have outlined what has happened to local government over the decade and a half that her Government were in power. I have tried to build up that resilience for local leaders. Previous Ministers chose to take more time to consider the proposals—she referenced two of the places involved—and we will consider these alongside the wider review of the programme.

    Hansard source
37. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Absolutely. Devolution is at the heart of our plans to rewire the state. I am making this statement today exactly to ensure that that happens.

    Hansard source
38. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    Again, I do not see local government reorganisation as a wasted endeavour. I have been really clear about the reason for the pause: to get the decision right. We have committed to providing transitional funding. Where local government reform has happened in the past, we have seen that there have been savings, but my motivation is to work with local authorities to improve their services. Local authorities recognise that we could do that. I am absolutely committed to continuing that, and we will work at pace to deliver for the hon. Member’s area.

    Hansard source
39. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I absolutely want to reassure hon. Members that this is not the end of local government reorganisation, because I am absolutely committed to it. I commend my hon. Friend for his work, and his local partners and others across the House who recognise what local government reorganisation could do for their area. I want to work at pace to put us on a firm footing, so that I as Secretary of State am clear-eyed about the decision I am making and that we can go ahead, with their consent or not.

    Hansard source
40. 7 Sep 2026·Parliament·Labour·Angela Rayner

    Local Government Reorganisation

    I want to reassure the hon. Member that we do not want to leave rural Devon behind, either. As the Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton (Jim McMahon), has just had to nip out for another meeting, I will volunteer him for the commitment to meet those Members. It is of serious concern for me to ensure that people are heard in the process. That is why I decided to have the review.

    Hansard source