Student midwives are set to gather outside Norwich City Hall on 18 April 2026 to demand more job opportunities for those entering the profession. The demonstration, led by the group Fund Future Midwives, highlights growing frustration among trainees who say there are limited roles available despite a perceived need for more staff in the industry.
The upcoming protest takes place against a backdrop of significant administrative change in the region. On 25 March 2026, the government confirmed that all eight current councils in Norfolk, including Norfolk County Council, will be abolished and replaced by three new unitary authorities by April 2028. This move represents the largest local government reorganisation in the area in more than 50 years.
Beyond the structural changes, local government in Norfolk has faced recent political tension. Disputes over the timing of local elections led to a significant disagreement between the county council and the government. After elections originally set for May 2025 were delayed to May 2026, the leader of the county council, Kay Mason Billig, withdrew from devolution negotiations, citing concerns over how the process was handled.
Separately, the county council continues to face criticism regarding its handling of services for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Recent reports show the authority is spending approximately £1.4 million annually on legal fees to contest school placement decisions made by families, a figure projected to rise to £1.5 million. In 2025, parents lodged 565 appeals regarding these placements to an independent tribunal, with the council losing 33 cases.
These issues have previously sparked public demonstrations, including a shoe protest at the county offices where parents aimed to represent children whose needs they felt were being ignored by the system. The council currently faces a forecast deficit of £183 million specifically related to the support of children with special educational needs.
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