Reform Councils Save Taxpayers £40M by Ditching Net Zero

Reform UK Councils Save Taxpayers Over £40m by Scrapping Net-Zero Policies

Reform UK has claimed that taxpayers will save over £40 million after councils led by the party scrapped net-zero policies. The party stated that in its first 100 days of power, it has also managed to cut more than £50 million in wasteful costs across various areas. These cost-saving measures include stopping the upgrade of council cars to electric vehicles and reducing spending on solar panels.

In addition to these financial cuts, Reform UK has taken action to address overcrowded housing for asylum seekers and removed Pride flags from town halls. The party, led by Nigel Farage, achieved significant victories in May, winning 10 councils—eight from the Conservatives and two from Labour. Farage emphasized that the achievements of the councils reflect the party’s commitment to fulfilling its election promises.

“On May 1, we showed that if you vote Reform, you get Reform,” Farage said. “In the 100 days since, Reform UK councils across Britain are proving they’re the change we promised and already delivering on their manifesto commitments.”

Focus on Reducing Net-Zero Spending

Since last May, Reform UK has prioritized reductions in spending on net-zero initiatives. For example, Staffordshire County Council prevented 63 farms owned by the authority from being used for solar, wind, or battery farms, ensuring continued food production. Durham County Council was the first British council to scrap its “net-zero emergency declaration” and instead declared a care emergency to address the growing crisis in children’s social care and special educational needs.

A Reform cost-cutting unit sent into Kent County Council recommended scrapping plans to modify council-owned property to meet net-zero obligations, potentially saving £32 million over four years. The unit also suggested scrapping the transition of the council’s vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, which could save an additional £7.5 million by 2030.

Leicestershire County Council redirected £2 million from its “net-zero carbon reserve” toward flooding protection and drainage work. Meanwhile, West Northamptonshire Council removed net-zero targets in its area.

Additional Cost-Saving Measures

Beyond net-zero policies, Reform UK has implemented other cost-saving measures across various councils. Durham plans to make £4.2 million in savings by scrapping capital projects, including not upgrading the council’s vehicle fleet to electric and canceling several solar-power projects. The council will also eliminate a new heat pump at its county hall.

Kent has reduced its debt by £16 million, saving thousands in interest payments alone. It has also canceled plans to move staff into a neighboring building, saving over £14 billion. Derbyshire has saved £6,000 per day in councillor allowances in the first three weeks and delayed a pay strategy review for two years, saving millions of pounds.

Staffordshire stopped the rollout of electric vehicle charging in areas with little customer demand, saving £4.5 million for taxpayers. Nottinghamshire has placed a cap on allowances to save £112,000 annually, while Lincolnshire is exploring options to save at least £25 million by streamlining and modernizing services.

West Northamptonshire has introduced a new software licensing agreement with Microsoft, saving £1 million over three years.

Addressing Housing and Immigration Concerns

In other changes, Durham Council has required the application for planning permission when converting properties into homes in multiple occupation to prevent unchecked migration. West Northamptonshire has cracked down on illegal houses of multiple occupancy, requiring landlords in designated areas to apply for a license or face unlimited fines or civil penalties up to £30,000. The council will conduct physical inspections to ensure properties meet standards.