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2h ago

Reform UK Signals 5% Council Tax Rise in Kent After Efficiency Drive Falls Short

Senior councillors say soaring care demand leaves little to cut.

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Nigel Farage with councillors from Kent county council in July. The local authority has been described as a test bed for his party’s national policies
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Overview

  • Diane Morton, the cabinet member for adult social care, said services are "down to the bare bones" and indicated a 5% increase, noting each 1% raises about £10 million.
  • A senior Reform cabinet member conceded the expected large-scale cuts "just aren't" there after nearly six months in control.
  • Reform's national DOGE team has not done detailed work in Kent due to concerns over unelected party figures accessing sensitive council data.
  • Kent's locally run DOLGE claims £40 million in four-year savings after axing a £30 million home energy upgrade programme and a planned electric vehicle fleet.
  • About half of the £2.5 billion annual budget goes to adult and children's social care and SEND, with the legally required budget due in February–March to balance the books.