Local government has been warned it faces a ‘battle royal’ with ministers appearing determined to force through reorganisation.

Ministers and officials are understood to have been talking to shocked councils up and down the country, urging them to ready proposals by September for new unitary authorities. 

Local government minister Simon Clarke has said he expected new unitaries as a 'rule of thumb to be substantially in excess of 300,000 to 400,000' though district councils are understood to have been told a lower figure could be acceptable.