England
Largest UK constituent nation, 57 million people; finished third at the 2026 World Cup.
On 7 September 2026 ministers withdrew the council-merger decisions for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk on legal advice and put the July plans for 14 other English areas under a rapid review with no end date.
Last refreshed: 7 October 2026 · Appears in 5 active topics
Can England beat France to finish third after Argentina ended their run in the semi-final?
Timeline for England
Delayed its register to March 2027
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UK Local Elections 2026Background
England is the largest constituent nation of the United Kingdom, with about 57 million people and London as its capital. It has no national assembly: the UK Parliament at Westminster legislates for England on matters that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland handle through devolved legislatures. England produces roughly 84% of UK GDP.
English councils spent £144.4bn on services in 2025-26, £5.8bn over their own budgets, according to figures the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published on 17 September 2026. Their non-ringfenced reserves still rose, to £31.1bn.
Its men's football TEAM finished third at the 2026 World Cup, its best result since winning the tournament in 1966.
England reshapes local government
On 16 July 2026 the Government confirmed that 134 councils in 14 English county areas would merge into 38 unitary authorities, with elections in May 2027 and most vesting on 1 April 2028. It was the biggest change to English local government since 1974.
On 7 September Jim McMahon withdrew the March decisions for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and paused the July decisions for review, without withdrawing them. The same review now covers Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and West Sussex. May 2027 council elections in reorganising areas will run on existing boundaries, and councils wanting to challenge the July decisions in court have until around 16 October.
England finish third at the World Cup
Jude Bellingham scored twice as England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in Miami on 11 July 2026, after his double against Mexico in the previous round. It took England to the fourth World Cup semi-final in the nation's history. Argentina won that semi-final 2-1 in Atlanta on 15 July with a stoppage-time header from Lautaro Martinez, after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead.
In the third-place match in Miami on 18 July, England led France 4-0 at half-time. France pulled back to 4-3 before England won 6-4, with a hat-trick from Bukayo Saka. It was the first World Cup third-place match to reach ten goals.
English councils lose their majorities
After the local elections of 7 May 2026 the Institute for Government counted 61 councils under no overall control, the highest figure on record. It recommended abolishing election by thirds so that partisan shifts show in a single round.
Reform UK, the biggest gainer, lost councillors quickly. Mark Pack counted 56 Reform councillors gone by 3 August, 31 of them elected in May 2026 or later. All left by defection, suspension or resignation, so no voter removed any of them.