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Kent Council Tax Rise Fear as Reform Says County 'Down to Bare Bones'
Reform UK faces a �27.9 million overspend and plans a 5% council tax hike after failing to find expected savings with its Elon Musk-inspired cost-cutting unit, officials said.
- Kent County Council, now under Reform UK leadership following the May elections, is expected to raise council tax by as much as 5% in the coming year.
- Reform UK ran on pledges to slash 'wasteful spending' and introduced a 'no more borrowing' policy after winning control, but implemented extensive cuts including scrapping a £30 million energy efficiency programme and electric vehicle fleet.
- Despite cost-saving measures and reducing debt by £66 million, the council faces a £27.9 million overspend beyond its £1.53 billion budget due to rising demand and limited room for further cuts.
- Diane Morton, cabinet member for adult social care, warned that Kent’s services are already stretched to the limit and anticipates a 5% council tax increase; meanwhile, critics say Reform has not delivered on its savings pledges.
- The likely tax increase and unmet savings targets in Kent provide a test case by which the electorate will judge Reform UK's claims ahead of future national ambitions.
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Reform UK set to hike council tax in Kent by 5% - despite pledge to cut costs
Kent County Council’s Department of Local Government Efficiency (Dolge) has identified £40m of potential savings - but council tax looks likely to go up next year
·London, United Kingdom
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Reform UK council set to hike council tax as ‘Doge’ cost-cutting fails
Reform-run Kent County Council has indicated that it will likely increase council tax in January after failing to make the savings anticipated through its Department of Government Efficiency (Doge)-style unit. When Reform won control of 10 councils in England in May, Nigel Farage promised his councillors would slash wasteful spending. Now, they are poised to raise council tax by 5% next year, the maximum amount allowed. Reform councillors in K…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left8Leaning Right1Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Left
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources lean Left
80% Left
L 80%
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