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Reform UK Unveils 68,500 Civil Service Cuts, Fivefold Bonus Pool

The party says internally costed savings would fund wider tax plans, reshaping Whitehall to keep top performers.

Overview

  • Danny Kruger set out a reduction of 68,500 full-time equivalent roles, describing a 17% cut to the salary bill and £5.2bn in annual savings according to party analysis.
  • Reform UK forecasts about £4bn from averted salaries within two years, plus roughly £1bn later from reduced pension contributions.
  • The performance-related pay pool would increase fivefold, with approximately £500m to £750m directed to reward high-performing civil servants.
  • Proposed staffing changes target support functions, including a 67% cut to human resources, a 60% cut to communications, and halving the number of policy advisers.
  • Additional savings are sought by letting London leaseholds expire and relocating departments, while leaders also flag potential changes at the FCA, the Bank of England and HMRC.