The English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024,[1] unveiled the Government’s plans for a dramatic reorganisation of local government in England. With the goals of widening and deepening devolution across the country, and implementing ‘devolution by default’, the Government plans to extend the powers of local mayors while also bringing an end to the two-tier system of local authorities.[2] Proposals in the White Paper include:[3]
- A goal of universal coverage in England of Strategic Authorities,
- A legislative framework to set a floor for devolution by default,
- Further powers for mayors, including Integrated Settlements for local funding and expanded control over local transport systems, skills, housing, energy and business,
- Integrating local mayors into the work of central government and government agencies.
- A programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and for some unitary authorities,
- Multi-year settlements for local authorities.
The Government is immediately pressing forward with some of these proposals, for instance by agreeing devolution deals for Greater Lincolnshire[4] and Hull and East Yorkshire.[5] Some proposals in the White Paper will have to wait for the English Devolution Bill, which has not yet been introduced in Parliament.[6]
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the White Paper is the proposal to reorganise two-tier local authority areas. The Government proposes to reorganise local government in these areas to create unitary authorities. The new unitary authorities should have a population of 500,000 or more in ‘most areas’.[7] The Government has invited proposals from local authority leaders to reorganise their areas into unitary authorities, with some county councils requesting to delay their 2025 elections as a consequence.[8]
Some councillors in county and district councils have expressed skepticism or wariness in response to this proposed reorganisation. Tim Oliver, Chairman of the County Councils Network, said that local government reorganisation was ‘necessary’ in many areas, but that decisions on that reorganisation should be ‘evidence-based’ and county councils should not be ‘split into multiple small unitary councils’ that are too small to deliver on the Government’s ambitions.[9] Meanwhile, the District Councils’ Network warned that the Government’s plans could lead to ‘geographically vast councils that are remote from local communities’.[10]
The Government’s reorganisation programme comes at a difficult time for local government, with finances stretched and local authorities struggling to fund local services.[11] In addition, local councillors are the most reliable source of campaigners in both local and general elections. Ministers risk the ire of their own campaigners if they press ahead with a radical reorganisation of local government in England. The Government has also faced criticism from opposition parties, including the Conservatives and Reform, for delaying some 2025 local elections.[12] Reorganising local government will not be a straightforward or uncontroversial task for the Labour Government.
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[1] Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, English Devolution White Paper, 16 December 2024, link
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] Lincolnshire County Council, Devolution to go ahead for Greater Lincolnshire, 18 September 2024, link
[5] East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to be created, 27 November 2024, link
[6] Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, English Devolution White Paper, 16 December 2024, link
[7] Ibid
[8] Sky News, Some local elections could be delayed by up to a year, says Angela Rayner, 16 December 2024, link
[9] County Councils Network, English Devolution White Paper: CCN responds, 16 December 2024, link
[10] District Councils’ Network, ‘Mega councils’ threaten local services and delivery of homes and jobs, 16 December 2024, link
[11] Local Government Association, LGA statement on provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, 18 December 2024, link
[12] The Guardian, Tories cry foul as overhaul of English councils may delay local elections, 16 December 2024, link
