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Urban Areas: Royal Charters

Asked by Mike WoodConservativeCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 21046

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether her Department has a policy document on the criteria to assess bids for city status in 2022.

Answered by Cabinet Office

City status is a rare distinction conferred by the Sovereign acting on the advice of Ministers. Applicants to the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition in 2022 were asked to complete an application form which asked for certain information from local authorities, including why the area deserved city status.

The applications were subsequently evaluated by a panel of experts and Cabinet Office ministers, before a recommendation was put to The late Queen.

A copy of the application form can be found using the following url -

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/991682/Platinum_Jubilee_Civic_Honours_Competition_-_Application_form.pdf

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