https://orderly.bot/tags/localgovernment/ Recent content in Localgovernment on Orderly Hugo en-gb Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://orderly.bot/commons/2026-10-29-parliament-confronts-local-government-shake-up-and-valproate-redress-calls/ Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://orderly.bot/commons/2026-10-29-parliament-confronts-local-government-shake-up-and-valproate-redress-calls/ <h2 id="high-level-summary">High-Level Summary</h2> <p>The sitting opened with tributes to Sue Holt and outgoing Clerk of the House Tom Goldsmith, followed by Transport questions on active travel, rail services, accessibility, aviation, roadworks and related matters. Business questions set out forthcoming parliamentary business and included requests for debates or ministerial action on artificial intelligence, social cohesion, community services and constituency concerns. The Government announced the next phase of local government reorganisation, including five proposals on which it was minded to proceed, the withdrawal of nine earlier decisions, transitional funding and a timetable leading to new councils in 2029. The House then heard a personal statement, resumed the Budget debate—which was adjourned until 2 November—considered a petition on VAT for the hair and beauty sector, and debated sodium valproate, with the Minister confirming that financial redress had not yet been decided while undertaking to pursue the Hughes report with greater urgency.</p>