Local Government Act 1985

The Local Government Act 1985 was an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom. Its main effect was to abolish the county coucils of the metropolitan counties that had been set up in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972, along with the Greater London Council that had been established in 1965. It came into effect on April 1, 1986, with some powers being devolved to the metropolitan boroughs and London boroughs, but others reverting to central government.

The Act set up the Inner London Education Authority, which had previously been a committee of the GLC responsible for education in Inner London, as a directly-elected body. This was to remain in existence for only three years.

The Act was passed by Margaret Thatcher's government after a series of high-profile disputes between the councils and the central government.