Reform UK cost-cutting unit to scrutinise council

Lancashire County Council is being scrutinised by a team from Reform UK which has modelled itself on Elon Musk's controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the US.

Council leader Stephen Atkinson said the group - made up of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors - will help to root out wasteful spending so they can reinvest in frontline services.

Reform UK said the work will be carried out free of charge and will not be a drain on the council's budget.

However, Unions have warned the cost-cutting unit it will face a fight if it suggests sacking staff at the Reform-controlled authority.

The party, which took control in May, hopes the DOGE-style audit will revitalise the council, which employs 32,500 people.

Atkinson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It's important that we work collaboratively with our officers to look at the efficiencies that can be achieved and we are committed to doing this.

"We are confident we can deliver the savings and are well underway with the analysis. We expect the initial findings to be available over the next few weeks.

"We have been clear that we will be focusing our policies on what is most important to residents so we can make a real difference."

Party leader Nigel Farage has said people working within Reform-controlled councils on climate change and diversity projects should seek "alternative careers".

Asked if such staff in Lancashire should fear for their jobs, Atkinson said: "Staff know what our policies are – we will follow process, we will be respectful and we will be dignified, but we have an electoral mandate to deliver what we said we would do."

Union leaders said they were sceptical of the plan.

Mike Short, head of local government at UNISON, said: "Reform's auditors will find the cupboards are bare.

"People living in Reform-controlled local authorities want to know the vital services they rely upon will continue. That should be new councillors' top priority."

Pete Billington, secretary of the Lancashire Association of Trades Union Councils, said the hundreds of millions of pounds saved during more than a decade of austerity rendered the DOGE process in Lancashire "meaningless".

He added: "The only way they're going to [achieve their aim] is by sacking people and cutting services.

"I just can't see the unions taking any attempt to cut employment without a massive fight."

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