Local Government Reorganisation Statement

The government has approved a major restructuring of local government in England, confirming new unitary council arrangements in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The plans were set out in a written ministerial statement to Parliament on 25 March 2026.

Under the proposals, Essex, Southend‑on‑Sea and Thurrock will move to a system of five new unitary councils. In Hampshire, the government has backed the locally favoured “Option 1A”, creating five unitary councils covering Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Norfolk will be reorganised into three unitary authorities—West Norfolk, Greater Norwich and East Norfolk—while Suffolk will also adopt a three‑unitary model, including a new Ipswich and South Suffolk council.

The statement also provided an update on reorganisation proposals for East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex. Ministers said none of the four submitted proposals met the required threshold for implementation at this stage, and further work will be needed before any decision is taken.

The government confirmed that it remains committed to completing reorganisation in time for elections in May 2027, with the new councils expected to take full effect from April 2028. It also reiterated plans to repay £200 million of Thurrock Council’s debt in 2026–27 and announced £63 million in transition funding to support the new authorities.