General · 16 February 2026
Government reverses decision to delay thirty council ballots
Ministers have withdrawn a proposal to postpone voting in thirty English local authority areas following legal advice. The state agreed to cover Reform UK’s legal fees, estimated by a party source to exceed £100,000. Officials confirmed that polling will now take place in May 2026 instead of being pushed back to 2027. Additionally, the government pledged £63 million to support areas currently undergoing administrative restructuring.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs