Ministers have confirmed that the Local Government Reorganisation programme is continuing and is aligned with wider plans to shift power out of Westminster, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced on 29 October 2026. The government said it is now minded to go ahead with reorganisation in five areas, with a period of at least three weeks for further representations before final decisions are taken.

The five areas are East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, where a two-unitary proposal includes boundary changes requested by Brighton and Hove City Council except for the parish of Falmer; a one-unitary proposal in Gloucestershire; a three-unitary proposal in Oxfordshire with boundary changes; a two-unitary proposal in Warwickshire; and a two-unitary proposal in Worcestershire.

Ministers will consider the best way forward for the 15 remaining areas, including nine where reorganisation was paused in September and decisions are now withdrawn. The government said withdrawal does not mean reorganisation is cancelled there, and every area will have an outcome by early next year. Local elections in these areas are planned for May 2027 on existing council boundaries, with new councils established for 2029 and shadow council elections in May 2028. Reorganisation in Surrey is unaffected, with two new unitary authorities due to go live in April 2027.