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Reform UK to give council Musk-style audit

Nadia Lincoln
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Laura Coffey
BBC political reporter, Northamptonshire
PA Media Nigel Farage wearing a suit and tie with his hand in the air. He has white hair PA Media
Nigel Farage is the leader of Reform UK and has taken inspiration from Elon Musk for his scheme to cut council spending

Reform UK plans to send its Elon Musk-style Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) team into West Northamptonshire Council to assess "wasteful spending".

The council has become one of the frontrunners to receive a visit from the party's new audit team, including software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors.

However, a party spokesperson said there was not currently a timetable for the Northamptonshire visit. The authority's Conservative group leader said savings could be achieved "without the gimmicks".

Reform UK took 42 of the 76 seats in the council after the local elections on 1 May to run it as a majority.

The party took control of eight authorities from the Conservatives - including neighbouring North Northamptonshire - along with Doncaster from Labour and Durham, which was run as a coalition.

LDRS People cheering while wearing the blue ribbon for Reform UK. They look happy LDRS
There was success for the Reform UK party in the local elections a few weeks ago

The idea follows the US Doge, which was launched in January after President Donald Trump took office to cut federal spending.

Billionaire Musk was involved but has since left his position spearheading the unit.

Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf announced on X that West Northamptonshire and Lancashire were next in line to be visited by the audit team.

Reform UK claimed the work would be completed free of charge.

The party said the unit would use artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis tools to find any waste.

Although the Doge team would be able to give tips and tricks, elected councillors and leadership would decide whether to act on recommendations.

'Gimmicks'

A Reform UK party spokesperson said: "The taskforce will identify and eliminate wasteful spending, increasing transparency and ensuring taxpayer money is spent solely on activity that benefits local people."

Mark Arnull, Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: "Since forming the council's new political istration we have been working closely with senior officers, building good relationships and meeting regularly as we start to shape our future priorities for communities across West Northants."

Mark Arnull, who is wearing a black suit and a light blue tie looking directly at the camera. He is also wearing black framed glasses.
Mark Arnull is the new leader of West Northamptonshire Council

Daniel Lister, leader of the Tory opposition, said: "We made over £115m in efficiency savings under the last Conservative istration and we were committed to finding even more, so we know savings can be achieved without the gimmicks.

"This new so-called 'efficiency unit', parachuted in and styled on the Trump/Musk Doge model in the United States, delivered only a fraction of the promised savings over there, while increasing spending and gutting for veterans, the homeless and other essential services. Is that really the reform people voted for":[]}