LGR snapshot – April 2025

Sneak preview of our analysis:

The full picture of local government reorganisation (LGR) is unlikely to emerge until the final business cases are submitted. Nonetheless, we have identified 10 key indications of the state of LGR through a critical analysis of the 38 proposals submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

1. 1. Did every region submit a proposal? 20 out of 21 two-tier regions submitted proposals.
   2. Collaboration? There were 38 proposals across the 21 two-tier regions of England.
   3. Diverging opinions? There are a range of options on new unitaries from 27 to 67 different unitaries.
   4. What’s the magic number? Across 18 regions with information available, the average population size of new unitaries was 544,837, though this varied greatly.
   5. What is this set to cost this year? Across the 27 proposals with information available, £38.4m has been set aside for preparing LGR proposals.
   6. How much would it cost to implement? Current financial analysis averages the estimated transition cost for each region’s reorganisation as £31.1m.
   7. Are councils going it alone? 8 out of 21 regions are already employing consultants or external support.
   8. What kind of financial analysis is being undertaken? 12 out of 21 areas are forecasting net benefits, and eight areas are at a stage to scope payback periods.
   9. What can central government do? Seven recurring and consistent themes emerged from councils’ submission on barriers, challenges or support required from central government.
   10. What next? Councils are standing up teams and working groups ahead of MHCLG feedback expected in late April and May.

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