Reports yesterday suggested that 22 areas across England will have their elections delayed.
This is pure speculation. So far we have had responses from a fraction of the councils that are due to hold their elections in May this year.
In December, we announced that 63 areas undergoing local government reorganisation were invited to provide their views on whether postponing elections next year would release capacity to deliver these essential reforms.
We have been clear that we would listen to local areas, as they are in the best position to judge their local capacity and the impact of potential postponements on their area.
There is a clear precedent for postponing local elections when local government reorganisation is in progress, as previously happened between 2019 and 2021.