A council led by the Reform party is expected to raise council tax to the maximum level next year, acknowledging that services are currently operating at a minimal level. Kent County Council, which was won by Nigel Farage’s party in the recent local elections, plans to implement a 5% tax increase. Earlier this year, Reform UK had pledged to review inefficient council expenditures and introduced a Department of Government Efficiency inspired by Elon Musk’s cost-cutting strategies.
Despite efforts to assess spending, Diane Morton, a council member overseeing adult social care and public health in Kent, highlighted the strain on services, stating that resources are stretched thin due to increasing demands. As councils prepare to finalize their budgets in early 2026, Morton anticipates a 5% tax hike. In the previous year, many councils raised taxes by 4.99%, with six councils granted permission to exceed this limit by the government.
While some Reform councillors aimed to avoid the maximum tax increase, challenges in identifying significant cost reductions were noted. Linden Kemkaran, leader of Reform at Kent County Council, emphasized the council’s role as a model for a potential future government under Farage’s leadership. The Labour MP for East Thanet criticized Reform’s approach, alleging a lack of substantial savings and expertise in financial management.