Lancaster and Wyre MP Cat Smith has welcomed clear Government assurance that Lancaster will not lose its city status as a result of local government reorganisation in Lancashire.

Speaking in the House of Commons following the Government’s latest statement on Local Government Reorganisation, Ms Smith pressed the Minister for clarity on the timetable for Lancashire.

The Minister confirmed that the Government expects to conclude its considerations by the new year, with areas affected by the review expected to know where they stand in the February to March period.

Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool are among the areas where previous decisions will be reconsidered.

Ms Smith also sought, and received, an explicit commitment on Lancaster’s historic city status.

In a debate on council reorganisation, Jim McMahon OBE, the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Growth, said: “It would be absolutely wrong that just because the city status is aligned to the local authority that's been abolished, rather than the geographical area, that they would potentially risk losing that status.

"And I can give an absolute assurance that whether we have to even move new legislation to preserve it, whatever we have to do, there will not be a current city that loses its status through reorganisation.”

The Government said it would consider all available options, including new legislation, if necessary, to protect city status.

Following the exchange, Ms Smith said: “This is an important assurance for Lancaster. Our city status belongs to Lancaster and its people, not to any particular council boundary or administrative arrangement.

"I welcome the Minister’s commitment that no existing city will lose its status through reorganisation, and that the Government is prepared to legislate if needed to protect it.”