VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Combined Authorities

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 20364

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans the Government has to amend the borders and structures of (a) police forces, (b) fire and rescue services, and (c) integrated care boards, to align with those of mayoral combined authorities.

Answered by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement set out Government’s intent to align key public service boundaries with strategic authority geographies. This will include new local police units aligning with local authorities, and regional police forces, fire and rescue authorities and Integrated Care Boards aligning with the boundaries of strategic authorities by the end of the Parliament. Where there are strong financial, strategic or operational reasons for larger organisations, this alignment may be to the boundaries of multiple, rather than just one, strategic authority.

Further detail on plans for the alignment of public service boundaries will be set out in the white paper committed to by the Statement this Autumn.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim