Reform UK has launched a new “Doge” unit to crack down on waste and inefficiency in English councils.
Nigel Farage’s party has assembled a team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors to look at ways local authorities can save cash.
It will be headed by a leading tech entrepreneur, although their identity remains a mystery.
The party has pledged to slash spending on diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) programmes and end gold-plated pension schemes for council workers.
The group of volunteers will visit each of the 10 councils Reform won at last month’s elections — starting on Monday with Kent County Council, which has a gross budget of more than £2.5 billion.
The brainchild of Reform chairman Zia Yusuf, the “Doge” unit is modelled on Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in the United States.
Mr Yusuf told The Daily Telegraph: “For too long, British taxpayers have watched their money vanish into a black hole. Their taxes keep going up, their bin collections keep getting less frequent, potholes remain unfixed, their local services keep getting cut.
“Reform won a historic victory on a mandate to change this. As promised, we have created a UK Doge to identify and cut wasteful spending of taxpayer money. Our team will use cutting edge technology and deliver real value for voters.”
Mr Farage told the BBC after his party seized control of eight local authorities from the Conservatives and two from Labour: “I think every county needs a Doge. I think local government has gone under the radar for too long.”
He highlighted high-profile cases of councils that have issued bankruptcy notices, including Croydon in south London and Birmingham, Europe's largest local authority.
Linden Kemkaran, the Reform leader of Kent County Council, has written to chief executive Amanda Beer announcing her intention to undertake a review of the authority’s “financial management, procurement activity, and associated governance arrangements”.
Her letter states: “We believe it is in the public interest to ensure that the council’s financial and procurement systems are robust, lawful, and value-driven.”
Reform has requested access to all relevant documents, records, data, minutes and correspondence, as well as “any internal investigations or whistleblowing reports relevant to financial matters”.
Ms Kemkaran warned: “Should you resist this request, we are ready to pass a council motion to compel the same and will consider any obstruction of our councillors duties to be gross misconduct. We trust this will not be required.”
