Reform councils accused of wasting taxpayers’ money

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

A former civil servant accused Reform-led councils of failing to cut administrative costs and increasing council taxes despite the party’s promises to reduce waste and improve efficiency. This criticism raises concerns about Reform UK’s ability to deliver on fiscal responsibility if it gains national power, as inefficiencies and spending increases persist at the local government level.

A former civil servant has accused councils led by the Reform party of mismanaging public funds, despite the party’s campaign promises to reduce waste and lower taxes. Arthur Reynolds criticized several Reform-controlled local authorities for continuing to spend millions on administrative support roles, such as diary managers and personal assistants, following a series of freedom of information disclosures.

Reynolds said Reform UK, which has gained control of multiple local councils, had pledged to implement government efficiency measures similar to those proposed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in the United States. However, he described these promises as a “populist PR stunt” and argued that the public sector had failed to streamline operations, unlike the private sector, which increasingly relies on technology and artificial intelligence to replace such positions.

He also warned that if Reform UK were to assume national government, the party might overlook existing inefficiencies at the bureaucratic level. Reynolds pointed to recent council tax increases across upper-tier authorities run by Reform, highlighting a 4.99% rise in North Northamptonshire and an 8.98% increase in Worcestershire, where Reform is the largest party. These tax hikes, he claimed, contradicted the party’s commitment to cutting costs.

Additionally, Reynolds noted internal challenges within Reform-led councils. In Kent, for example, a councillor resigned from leading the local Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after acknowledging that the unit had not successfully implemented any budget cuts.

In response, Reform UK defended its record, stating that recent local election results demonstrated public approval of its approach. The party emphasized that voters appreciated its “business-like, common sense” methods for managing local authorities and expressed a desire for more Reform-led councils.

The debate underscores ongoing scrutiny of how emerging political groups balance campaign rhetoric with practical governance, particularly regarding fiscal responsibility and efficiency in public administration.