Written Question·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·UIN 85787

Combined Authorities and Unitary Councils

Tabled: 28 October 2025
Answered: 4 November 2025

Question

Sir James Cleverly

Conservative — Braintree

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference his Department's policy paper entitled English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether he plans to amend the proposed (a) minimum population

Answer

Alison McGovern
The English Devolution White Paper and the Statutory Invitation set a guiding principle that new unitary councils should have a population size of 500,000 or more. We have been clear on the need for flexibility and there may be exceptions to ensure new st...
ⓘ

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 85787) →