diff --git a/.cypress/cypress/integration/category_tests.js b/.cypress/cypress/integration/category_tests.js
index 8cd72b50db..bcb543a3cd 100644
--- a/.cypress/cypress/integration/category_tests.js
+++ b/.cypress/cypress/integration/category_tests.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ describe('Basic categories', function() {
         'Footpath/bridleway away from road',
         'Graffiti',
         'Offensive graffiti',
-        'Licensing',
+        'G|Licensing',
         'Parks/landscapes',
         'Pavements',
         'Potholes',
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ describe('Basic categories', function() {
         cy.get('[value="Abandoned vehicles"]').should('not.be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Bus stops"]').should('not.be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Flyposting"]').should('not.be.visible');
-        cy.get('[value="Licensing"]').should('be.visible');
+        cy.get('[value="G|Licensing"]').should('be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Dropped Kerbs"]').should('be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Skips"]').should('be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Street lighting"]').should('be.visible');
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ describe('Basic categories', function() {
         cy.get('[value="Abandoned vehicles"]').should('not.be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Bus stops"]').should('be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Flyposting"]').should('not.be.visible');
-        cy.get('[value="Licensing"]').should('be.visible');
+        cy.get('[value="G|Licensing"]').should('be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Dropped Kerbs"]').should('not.be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Skips"]').should('be.visible');
         cy.get('[value="Road traffic signs"]').should('be.visible');
diff --git a/perllib/FixMyStreet/App/Controller/Report.pm b/perllib/FixMyStreet/App/Controller/Report.pm
index 1971087777..785c4708d1 100644
--- a/perllib/FixMyStreet/App/Controller/Report.pm
+++ b/perllib/FixMyStreet/App/Controller/Report.pm
@@ -843,6 +843,7 @@ sub stash_category_groups : Private {
             (my $id = $_) =~ s/[^a-zA-Z]+//g;
             if (@{$category_groups{$_}} == 1) {
                 my $contact = $category_groups{$_}[0];
+                $contact->set_extra_metadata(hoisted => $_);
                 push @list, [ $contact->category_display, $contact ];
             } else {
                 my $cats = $category_groups{$_};
diff --git a/perllib/FixMyStreet/App/Controller/Report/New.pm b/perllib/FixMyStreet/App/Controller/Report/New.pm
index 400548923f..ad1b1731ae 100644
--- a/perllib/FixMyStreet/App/Controller/Report/New.pm
+++ b/perllib/FixMyStreet/App/Controller/Report/New.pm
@@ -1823,19 +1823,22 @@ sub generate_map : Private {
 sub check_for_category : Private {
     my ( $self, $c, $opts ) = @_;
 
-    my $category;
-    if (!$opts->{with_group}) {
-        $category = $c->get_param('category') || '';
-    } else {
-        # Group is either an actual group, or a category that wasn't in a group
-        my $group = $c->get_param('category') || $c->get_param('filter_group') || '';
-        if (any { $_->{name} && $group eq $_->{name} } @{$c->stash->{category_groups}}) {
+    my $category = $c->get_param('category') || '';
+    if ($opts->{with_group}) {
+        if (my ($group) = $category =~ /^G\|(.*)/) {
+            # A top-level group
             $c->stash->{group} = $c->stash->{filter_group} = $group;
             (my $group_id = $group) =~ s/[^a-zA-Z]+//g;
             my $cat_param = "category.$group_id";
             $category = $c->get_param($cat_param);
-        } else {
-            $category = $group;
+        } elsif ($category =~ /^H\|(.*?)\|(.*)/) {
+            # A hoisted to top-level category
+            ($group, $category) = ($1, $2);
+            $c->stash->{group} = $c->stash->{filter_group} = $group;
+        } elsif (!$category && ($group = $c->get_param('filter_group'))) {
+            if (any { $_->{name} && $group eq $_->{name} } @{$c->stash->{category_groups}}) {
+                $c->stash->{group} = $c->stash->{filter_group} = $group;
+            }
         }
     }
     $category ||= $c->stash->{report}->category || '';
diff --git a/t/app/controller/auth_social.t b/t/app/controller/auth_social.t
index 4211e56054..6a4fc89972 100644
--- a/t/app/controller/auth_social.t
+++ b/t/app/controller/auth_social.t
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ for my $state ( 'refused', 'no email', 'existing UID', 'okay' ) {
                 $mech->submit_form_ok( { with_fields => { pc => $test->{pc} || 'SW1A1AA' } }, "submit location" );
                 $mech->follow_link_ok( { text_regex => qr/skip this step/i, }, "follow 'skip this step' link" );
                 $mech->submit_form(with_fields => {
-                    category => 'Bins',
+                    category => 'G|Bins',
                     'category.Bins' => 'Damaged bin',
                     title => 'Test title',
                     detail => 'Test detail',
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ for my $state ( 'refused', 'no email', 'existing UID', 'okay' ) {
             if ($page eq 'report') {
                 $mech->content_contains('/report/new');
                 $mech->content_contains('Salt bin');
-                $mech->content_contains('name="category" value="Bins" data-subcategory="Bins" checked');
+                $mech->content_like(qr{value="G|Bins"\s+data-subcategory="Bins" checked});
                 $mech->content_contains('name="category.Bins" data-category_display="Damaged bin" value=\'Damaged bin\' checked');
             } elsif ($page eq 'update') {
                 $mech->content_contains('/report/update');
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ for my $tw_state ( 'refused', 'existing UID', 'no email' ) {
                 $mech->submit_form_ok( { with_fields => { pc => 'SW1A1AA' } }, "submit location" );
                 $mech->follow_link_ok( { text_regex => qr/skip this step/i, }, "follow 'skip this step' link" );
                 $mech->submit_form(with_fields => {
-                    category => 'Bins',
+                    category => 'G|Bins',
                     'category.Bins' =>'Damaged bin',
                     title => 'Test title',
                     detail => 'Test detail',
diff --git a/t/app/controller/report_new.t b/t/app/controller/report_new.t
index 08c0496bb0..624b0abb63 100644
--- a/t/app/controller/report_new.t
+++ b/t/app/controller/report_new.t
@@ -680,9 +680,9 @@ subtest "category groups" => sub {
         my $div = '<div[^>]*>\s*';
         my $div_end = '</div>\s*';
         my $pavements_label = '<label[^>]* for="category_Pavements">Pavements</label>\s*' . $div_end;
-        my $pavements_input = '<input[^>]* value="Pavements" data-subcategory="Pavements">\s*';
-        my $pavements_input_checked = '<input[^>]* value="Pavements" data-subcategory="Pavements" checked>\s*';
-        my $roads = $div . '<input[^>]* value="Roads" data-subcategory="Roads">\s*<label[^>]* for="category_Roads">Roads</label>\s*' . $div_end;
+        my $pavements_input = '<input[^>]* value="G|Pavements"\s+data-subcategory="Pavements">\s*';
+        my $pavements_input_checked = '<input[^>]* value="G|Pavements"\s+data-subcategory="Pavements" checked>\s*';
+        my $roads = $div . '<input[^>]* value="G|Roads"\s+data-subcategory="Roads">\s*<label[^>]* for="category_Roads">Roads</label>\s*' . $div_end;
         my $trees_label = '<label [^>]* for="category_\d+">Trees</label>\s*' . $div_end;
         my $trees_input = $div . '<input[^>]* value=\'Trees\'>\s*';
         my $trees_input_checked = $div . '<input[^>]* value=\'Trees\' checked>\s*';
@@ -708,18 +708,28 @@ subtest "category groups" => sub {
         $mech->content_like(qr{$fieldset_pavements$options});
         $mech->content_like(qr{$fieldset_roads$options});
         # Server submission of pavement subcategory
-        $mech->get_ok("/report/new?lat=$saved_lat&lon=$saved_lon&category=Pavements&category.Pavements=Potholes");
+        $mech->get_ok("/report/new?lat=$saved_lat&lon=$saved_lon&category=G|Pavements&category.Pavements=Potholes");
         $mech->content_like(qr{$pavements_input_checked$pavements_label$roads$trees_input$trees_label</fieldset>});
         $mech->content_like(qr{$fieldset_pavements$optionsS});
         $mech->content_like(qr{$fieldset_roads$options});
 
         $contact9->update( { extra => { group => 'Lights' } } );
         $mech->get_ok("/report/new?lat=$saved_lat&lon=$saved_lon");
-        $streetlighting = $div . '<input[^>]*value=\'Street lighting\'>\s*<label[^>]* for="category_\d+">Street lighting</label>\s*' . $div_end;
+        $streetlighting = $div . '<input[^>]*value=\'H|Lights\|Street lighting\'>\s*<label[^>]* for="category_\d+">Street lighting</label>\s*' . $div_end;
+        $potholes_input = $div . '<input[^>]* value=\'H|Pavements\|Potholes\'>\s*';
         $potholes_label = '<label[^>]* for="category_\d+">Potholes</label>\s*' . $div_end;
         $mech->content_like(qr{$potholes_input$potholes_label$roads$streetlighting$trees_input$trees_label</fieldset>});
         $mech->content_unlike(qr{$fieldset_pavements});
         $mech->content_like(qr{$fieldset_roads$options});
+
+        $mech->submit_form_ok({ with_fields => {
+            category => 'H|Lights|Street lighting',
+            title => 'Test Report',
+            detail => 'Test report details',
+            username_register => 'jo@example.org',
+            name => 'Jo Bloggs',
+        } });
+        $mech->content_contains('Now check your email');
     };
 };
 
diff --git a/t/cobrand/brent.t b/t/cobrand/brent.t
index f3b93eb03d..799a829424 100644
--- a/t/cobrand/brent.t
+++ b/t/cobrand/brent.t
@@ -927,7 +927,7 @@ FixMyStreet::override_config {
             with_fields => {
                 title => "Test Report",
                 detail => 'Test report details.',
-                category => 'Parks and open spaces',
+                category => 'G|Parks and open spaces',
                 'category.Parksandopenspaces' => 'Overgrown grass',
             }
         }, "submit details");
@@ -951,7 +951,7 @@ FixMyStreet::override_config {
             with_fields => {
                 title => "Test Report",
                 detail => 'Test report details.',
-                category => 'Parks and open spaces',
+                category => 'G|Parks and open spaces',
                 'category.Parksandopenspaces' => 'Overgrown grass',
             }
         }, "submit details");
@@ -970,7 +970,7 @@ FixMyStreet::override_config {
             with_fields => {
                 title => "Test Report",
                 detail => 'Test report details.',
-                category => 'Parks and open spaces',
+                category => 'G|Parks and open spaces',
                 'category.Parksandopenspaces' => 'Overgrown grass',
             }
         }, "submit details");
@@ -994,7 +994,7 @@ FixMyStreet::override_config {
             with_fields => {
                 title => "Test Report",
                 detail => 'Test report details.',
-                category => 'Parks and open spaces',
+                category => 'G|Parks and open spaces',
                 'category.Parksandopenspaces' => 'Ponds',
             }
         }, "submit details");
diff --git a/t/cobrand/northumberland.t b/t/cobrand/northumberland.t
index 0e5d51c38f..7764597bcd 100644
--- a/t/cobrand/northumberland.t
+++ b/t/cobrand/northumberland.t
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ FixMyStreet::override_config {
         $mech->content_contains('Main Carriageway');
         $mech->content_contains('Potholes');
         $mech->content_contains("Trees'>");
-        $mech->content_contains('value=\'Flytipping\' data-nh="1"');
+        $mech->content_contains('value=\'H|Staff Only - Out Of Hours|Flytipping\' data-nh="1"');
 
         # A-road where NH responsible for litter, council categories will also be present
         mock_road("A5103", 1);
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ FixMyStreet::override_config {
         $mech->content_contains('Main Carriageway');
         $mech->content_contains('Potholes');
         $mech->content_contains('Trees\'>');
-        $mech->content_contains('value=\'Flytipping\' data-nh="1"');
+        $mech->content_contains('value=\'H|Staff Only - Out Of Hours|Flytipping\' data-nh="1"');
 
         # A-road where NH not responsible for litter, no NH litter categories
         mock_road("A34", 0);
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ FixMyStreet::override_config {
         $mech->content_lacks('Main Carriageway');
         $mech->content_contains('Potholes');
         $mech->content_contains('Trees\'>');
-        $mech->content_contains('value=\'Flytipping\' data-nh="1"');
+        $mech->content_contains('value=\'H|Staff Only - Out Of Hours|Flytipping\' data-nh="1"');
     };
 };
 
diff --git a/templates/web/base/report/new/category.html b/templates/web/base/report/new/category.html
index e83a73a3b8..7efcd900eb 100644
--- a/templates/web/base/report/new/category.html
+++ b/templates/web/base/report/new/category.html
@@ -24,7 +24,12 @@
         [%~ FOREACH group_or_cat IN category_groups ~%]
             <div class="govuk-radios__item">
           [% IF group_or_cat.name %]
-                <input class="govuk-radios__input" required id="category_[% group_or_cat.id %]" type="radio" name="category" value="[% group_or_cat.name %]" data-subcategory="[% group_or_cat.id %]"[% ' checked' IF filter_group == group_or_cat.name %]>
+                <input class="govuk-radios__input" required type="radio" name="category"
+                    id="category_[% group_or_cat.id %]"
+                    data-valuealone="[% group_or_cat.name %]"
+                    value="G|[% group_or_cat.name %]"
+                    data-subcategory="[% group_or_cat.id %]"
+                    [%~ ' checked' IF filter_group == group_or_cat.name %]>
             <label class="govuk-label govuk-radios__label" for="category_[% group_or_cat.id %]">[% group_or_cat.name %]</label>
             [% group_hint = group_or_cat.categories.first.get_extra_metadata('group_hint') %]
             [%~ IF group_hint %]
@@ -32,9 +37,15 @@
               [% group_hint | safe %]
             </div>
             [% END ~%]
-          [% ELSE # A category not in a group %]
-            [% cat_lc = group_or_cat.category | lower =%]
-            <input class="govuk-radios__input" required id="category_[% group_or_cat.id %]" type="radio" name="category" data-category_display="[% group_or_cat.category_display %]" value='[% group_or_cat.category %]'
+          [% ELSE # A category not in a group, or a hoisted category %]
+            [% cat_lc = group_or_cat.category | lower;
+                hoisted = group_or_cat.get_extra_metadata('hoisted');
+            =%]
+            <input class="govuk-radios__input" required type="radio" name="category"
+                id="category_[% group_or_cat.id %]"
+                data-category_display="[% group_or_cat.category_display %]"
+                data-valuealone="[% group_or_cat.category %]"
+                value='[% "H|" _ hoisted _ "|" IF hoisted %][% group_or_cat.category %]'
                 [%~ ' checked' IF ( report.category == group_or_cat.category || category_lc == cat_lc ) AND NOT filter_group ~%]
                 [%~ ' data-nh="1"' IF group_or_cat.get_extra_metadata('nh_council_cleaning') ~%]
                 >
diff --git a/web/cobrands/fixmystreet/fixmystreet.js b/web/cobrands/fixmystreet/fixmystreet.js
index de09f6df3d..0e7716e2f4 100644
--- a/web/cobrands/fixmystreet/fixmystreet.js
+++ b/web/cobrands/fixmystreet/fixmystreet.js
@@ -1848,11 +1848,11 @@ function re_select(group, category) {
     var group_id = group.replace(/[^a-z]+/gi, '');
     var cat_in_group = $("#subcategory_" + group_id + " input[value=\"" + category + "\"]");
     if (cat_in_group.length) {
-        $('#form_category_fieldset input[value="' + group + '"]')[0].checked = true;
+        $('#form_category_fieldset input[data-valuealone="' + group + '"]')[0].checked = true;
         cat_in_group[0].checked = true;
     } else {
         var top_level = group || category;
-        var top_level_match = $("#form_category_fieldset input[value=\"" + top_level + "\"]");
+        var top_level_match = $("#form_category_fieldset input[data-valuealone=\"" + top_level + "\"]");
         if (top_level && top_level_match.length) {
             top_level_match[0].checked = true;
         }
@@ -1976,7 +1976,7 @@ fixmystreet.fetch_reporting_data = function() {
 fixmystreet.reporting = {};
 fixmystreet.reporting.selectedCategory = function() {
     var $group_or_cat_input = $('#form_category_fieldset input:checked'),
-        group_or_cat = $group_or_cat_input.val() || '',
+        group_or_cat = $group_or_cat_input.data('valuealone') || '',
         group_id = group_or_cat.replace(/[^a-z]+/gi, ''),
         $subcategory = $("#subcategory_" + group_id),
         $subcategory_input = $subcategory.find('input:checked'),