What is local government reorganisation?

The Government has launched a programme of local government reorganisation aimed at simplifying and improving local council services. This was announced in December 2024 in the English Devolution White Paper. As part of this, the Government is planning to replace all two-tier systems - where services are split between county and district or borough councils - with new unitary councils. It means the county and district councils will no longer exist and brand-new organisations will be created.