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Local Government: Reorganisation

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 14 January 2026UIN 102389

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with refence to his Department's oral statement of 18 December 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report col 1130, whether he expects election officials to be made redundant if elections are cancelled in May 2026.

Answered by Alison McGovern

The majority of 2026 council elections are unaffected by local government reorganisation and are going ahead. While staffing decisions are for individual councils who employ electoral services staff, if the Government decides to postpone any elections it does not expect election officials to be made redundant as a result. These officials have responsibilities beyond running elections, including maintaining the electoral register and supporting other council related duties throughout the year.

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