The UK government is proceeding with plans to significantly reduce the number of local authorities in England, a move that has drawn accusations of "jerrymandering" from political opponents. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed announced a shake-up that will consolidate 134 councils into 38 unitary authorities across 14 areas, aiming to streamline governance and reduce costs.
These changes are part of a broader effort to abolish the two-tier system of county and district councils in favor of a single tier of unitary authorities. Reed stated that the reforms would lead to savings through the elimination of approximately 250 senior posts and 3,000 fewer councillors. Once completed, the total number of councils in England is expected to decrease from 317 to a maximum of 173, affecting an estimated 15 million people.
The announcement, made on the final sitting day in the House of Commons before a new prime minister takes office, was met with anger from both Labour and Conservative MPs. Shadow Local Government Secretary James Cleverly accused the government of redrawing electoral maps in Labour's favor, stating that the new council boundaries were "clearly jerrymandered."
Several areas are affected by this round of reorganisation, including Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Kent and Medway, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. Decisions on Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and West Sussex have been deferred.
Specific consolidations include: 7 councils in Gloucestershire into 1 unitary authority; 10 councils in Derby and Derbyshire into 2 unitaries; and 6 councils in Warwickshire into 2 unitaries. Worcestershire will see 7 councils reorganized into 2 unitaries, while Oxfordshire will have 6 councils reduced to 3. Hertfordshire's 11 councils will become 4 unitaries, and Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland's 10 councils will be streamlined into 2. Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, encompassing 9 councils, will be reduced to 2 unitaries. East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, with 7 councils, will form 2 unitaries with boundary modifications. Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent's 10 councils will become 2 unitaries. In Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool, 15 councils will be reduced to 4 unitaries. Kent and Medway will see 14 councils consolidated into 4 unitaries. Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay's 11 councils will become 4 unitaries, and Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, and North East Lincolnshire will reorganize 10 councils into 4 unitaries.
While Reed asserted that the majority of proposals had cross-party support, this claim was contested. Labour backbenchers also voiced strong opposition. Michael Payne, MP for Gedling, criticized the decision to split his constituency, arguing it was detrimental to his constituents and poor policy. Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, called the proposals "completely unacceptable" and a "disgrace" given the timing of the announcement.
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan expressed anger over the creation of what he described as a potentially deprived and indebted unitary authority in East Lancashire, comprising Blackburn but excluding Ribble Valley. He argued that communities were being disregarded.
Cleverly maintained that the changes were "purely partisan" and allowed Labour councils to redraw maps for future elections. Reed countered that the facts did not support these claims and that the decisions were aimed at realizing savings for residents.
Reed further explained that the government's aim is to devolve power and rebalance wealth and opportunity across the country, arguing that the existing two-tier system is confusing, duplicative, and blurs accountability. Sean Matthews, chair-elect of the County Councils Network, expressed concern that the implemented changes deviated from the original aims of the reorganisation, potentially leading to increased costs for taxpayers and fragmentation of services, particularly for vulnerable populations.