It was announced today that Southend would be granted city status, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

In a statement in the House of Commons Johnson said the Queen would grant the city status in memory of Sir David Amess.

The Conservative MP for Southend West was fatally stabbed at his constituency surgery on Friday October 15.

Sir Amess had campaigned for 20 years to get Southend city status, and it was one of many places competing for city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

Read more: Live blog on Southend becoming a city in memory of Sir David Amess

Mr Johnson said: “As it is only a short time since Sir David last put that very case to me in this chamber, I am happy to announce that Her Majesty has agreed that Southend will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves.

“That Sir David spent almost 40 years in this House, but not one day in ministerial office, tells everything about where his priorities lay.”

The question is now what will city status mean for Southend now it will finally become one?

What will city status mean for Southend?

There are currently 51 cities in England, with Southend soon to become the 52nd.

The definition of a place being a city, according to the House of Commons library website is simply a place which has been granted the status by the monarch.

Having a place become a city however, does not mean that the area will have any major changes.

There are not any concrete benefits with being a city, as it doesn't afford a location tax breaks for example, or give the local council any new powers.

Effects in the long-term for the local economy may be it's biggest selling point, but more than anything else it can be a symbol of pride for the local people.

It's being among the select few places that have that status that makes it more special.

Does Southend need a cathedral to be a city?

Historically, cities were settlements with cathedrals, although that is no longer a requirement.

Birmingham was the first town without a cathedral to become a city, in 1889 and many more have followed since, such as Brighton.

Southend itself does not have a cathedral, but will not have to worry about that.

What is the smallest city in the UK?

St Davids in Wales is the smallest city in the UK by population, according to the Travel website.

In the last Census in 2011 it had a population of around 1,600 and it was awarded its status in 1995.

By square miles the smallest city is the City of London, which covers two square miles and is home to the Bank of England.

It still has a greater population than St Davids, at 7,700 in 2018.