Legislation for new standards regime ‘pushed back’
11th of September, 2026
September 2026
Legislation to enact the UK Government’s new local government standards regime in England has been pushed back to the third session of Parliament.
Overview of the Delay
- The Announcement: Originally promised "as soon as parliamentary time allows" following a late-2025 consultation response, sector representatives at the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) conference confirmed the timeline has slipped.
- New Expected Timing: The legislation is now anticipated to be brought forward during the third session of the current parliamentary term.
- Context: The delay coincides with a broader pause and rapid review of local government reorganisation (LGR) announced by Housing and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner.
Proposed Standards Reforms (Awaiting Legislation)
When introduced, the overhauled conduct framework will apply across all tiers of local government in England, from parish councils to combined authority mayors. Key measures include:
- Mandatory Code: A prescribed national minimum code of conduct containing core behavioural standards.
- Formal Committees: A requirement for every principal authority to formally constitute a standards committee.
- Suspension Powers: Authority-level powers to suspend misbehaving councillors or mayors for up to six months for serious breaches, including withholding allowances and barring access to council premises.
- Disqualification: A "two-strikes" rule leading to disqualification if a councillor receives the maximum suspension twice within a five-year period.
- Appeals and Support: Provisions for a national appeals function alongside mandatory independent support lines for both complainants and respondents.