The UK government has abandoned plans to delay 30 council elections in England, according to a statement from Local Government Secretary Steve Reed.
Reed had initially approved delays for the ballots until 2027 to help deliver a major reorganisation of local authorities. However, Reform UK launched a legal challenge against the plans, which was due to be heard in the High Court.
The government has agreed to pay Reform's legal costs, estimated to be at least £100,000, and will provide an extra £63m to the 21 areas affected by the reforms.
Background to the Reforms
The proposed reforms aim to replace the two-tier system of district and county councils with new unitary authorities responsible for delivering all council services in their area.
There were originally 136 local elections scheduled for May, with 63 eligible to request a postponement due to local government reorganisation.
Reaction to the Decision
Reform leader Nigel Farage welcomed the decision, stating: "We took this Labour government to court and won."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party "fought tooth and nail to stop this stitch-up and the government has been forced into a humiliating U-turn".
Council Elections to Proceed
The elections will now proceed in May 2026, with all local elections going ahead as scheduled.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing."
