The government has announced it is to pause and review plans for local government reorganisation (LGR) following updated legal advice.

The review – which was announced by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner this week – includes decisions on Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Plans for 14 other areas, along with Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex, are also being paused while this is carried out.

To reassure local leaders and communities while this review takes place, the government has confirmed that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries and remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures.

The government’s ‘Rewiring the State’ White Paper on devolution will set out a new vision for local government, aligned to the devolution agenda being pushed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Angela Rayner said: “As we are now determined more than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as the new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain.

“The Prime Minister told the House last week, he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to ’do that’.

“In that context, in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law.

“And secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and the new Prime Minister and any additional considerations.

“I do not take this lightly. I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas, and I am very grateful for it.”

Reorganisation in Surrey will not be affected by the review and the two new unitary authorities – East and West Surrey – will go live in April 2027.

The Local Government Association has accused the government of “mishandling” the LGR process.

In a statement, it said: “Councils across the country will hold different views on the local government reorganisation (LGR) programme, for what it means for their areas, and the announcement of today’s review. But there is no excuse for the government’s mishandling of this process.

“Today’s announcement, however, will have caused significant uncertainty, after councils have invested scarce public money and countless hours in the government’s LGR programme.

“People’s jobs, lives and wider commitments have been affected. Staff, councillors and their families cannot be expected to put their lives on hold while ministers undertake a review which is a mess of their own making. Particularly at a time when local services remain under real pressure, this is no way to treat local government.

“Councils need certainty to plan how to deliver vital services to residents and meet demand pressures, and, as we said in July, their expert view needs to be embedded in LGR decision-making. Ministers must now set a clear timetable and ensure councils are not left to pick up the bill.

“This review must therefore be used by government to work in true partnership with councils to provide clarity in putting right its own mistakes. The LGA stands ready to use our power to convene our membership councils to ensure any future reform is shaped locally and based on what works for residents.”