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Local Government Reorganisation: Cambridgeshire
01 September 2026
Lead MP
Ben Obese-Jecty
Responding Minister
Jim McMahon
Tags
Social CareEconomyChildren & FamiliesLocal GovernmentNHS
Word Count: 5288
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Ben Obese-Jecty raised concerns about local government reorganisation: cambridgeshire in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Minister should clarify the timeline for the decision process, provide a definitive date for the decision, and ensure that the decision is not predetermined. The Secretary of State should also articulate why there has been a delay and whether further discussions are needed with Huntingdonshire district council.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The delay in the decision on the future of local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is causing uncertainty and instability. The fear is that the decision will be a stitch-up, with Huntingdonshire being split in two to prop up two Labour MPs in the north of the county. The business case for option D, which would split Huntingdonshire, raises significant concerns about the viability and financial resilience of the proposed unitary authorities. It would leave Huntingdonshire in a perilous state, with risks to service delivery, employment, and economic growth.
Agrees that the Government's inaction and indecision are causing harm to constituents due to delays in decision-making.
Andrew Pakes
Lab
Peterborough
The hon. Member for Peterborough proposed option D, which he believes would allow rural areas to form an authority that can deliver effectively on residents' priorities, while a Greater Peterborough council could better regulate and plan growth.
Highlights the financial challenges of the proposed Mid Cambridgeshire unitary due to soil-affected roads and internal drainage boards requiring significant funding.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Suggests that a globally recognised city like Cambridge is long overdue for unitary status.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Discusses past local government reorganisation in Northern Ireland and suggests learning lessons from previous experiences.
Asks the Minister to clarify the criteria and timeline for determining the new unitary authorities based on the original Government criteria.
Sam Carling
Con
North West Cambridgeshire
Expresses concerns about the process and criticises the hon. Gentleman for going on social media to make claims about Labour MPs being pre-briefed, which were not true. The hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire proposed option D, believing it would encompass the most high-growth areas of northern and western Cambridgeshire, but this option has been widely criticised for splitting Huntingdonshire and leaving it in a financially precarious position. Will the Minister join me in congratulating all Cambridgeshire and Peterborough councils on their collaborative approach to the reorganisation process, despite differing views, and the ongoing dialogue between them.
Government Response
Jim McMahon
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Twigg. I congratulate the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) on securing this debate on local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire. The Government's aim is simple: to have clearer structures, stronger councils, quicker decisions, more homes and better services for local people. The Government have announced that £63 million will be made available to support the transition across the 21 reorganised areas. Additionally, up to £150,000 per each new unitary council will be available to support leadership capacity and continuity in children's services, adult social care, and public health, bringing the total transition funding for LGR areas to more than £1 million per new unitary created. I am keen not to predetermine what decision we may or may not take. Hopefully the hon. Gentleman acknowledges that this is a comprehensive financial support package, which is about supporting local authorities. It is an opportunity for more efficient services, clear lines of responsibility, devolution, and community growth.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.