Ministers U-turn on their plan to split Derbyshire into two councils after Amber Valley moves towards a legal challenge

The government has abandoned its controversial "One Derbyshire, Two Councils" plan after Amber Valley District Council launched legal challenge proceedings against a split that would have divided the borough across two new unitary authorities. Local Government Minister Jim McMahon told MPs Labour remains committed to reorganisation but has listened to local leaders. All 10 councils earmarked for abolition now face an uncertain future, with every affected area to receive a decision before early next year.

Amber Valley's looming legal challenge was the flashpoint — the plan would have controversially carved the borough between the northern and southern authorities alike.

Reform UK's Alan Graves, who leads Derbyshire County Council, is pushing for a single countywide authority as the preferred alternative.

Derby Conservatives leader Steve Hassall went further, demanding the entire reorganisation programme be scrapped.