Since taking control of a number of local authorities earlier this year, Reform UK’s Doge unit has been busy prising open councils’ coffers.
The primary aim of this ongoing effort is to expose inefficiencies in how public money is being spent at a local level.
Doge head, Zia Yusuf likens this to “pulling on the levers” of the state.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Mr Yusuf said: “What we have already done is save north of £100million in the first 100 days of those reform councils, in no small part as a result of ending and scrapping the outrageous net zero spending, spending money on upgrading buildings that certainly did not need upgrading.
“What we’ve also seen and shone a light on a very bright disinfecting light is the outrageous manner in which British taxpayers have been asked to pay for illegal migrants.
“Trip to safari parks, trips to the circus, trips to the cinema, Domino’s Pizza, McDonald’s, TV licences. British people are sick and tired of being treated like second-class citizens in their own country.”
Looking under the bonnet
Below, GB News takes a closer look at the five biggest discoveries Reform’s Doge unit has made so far.
Zia Yusuf said Reform’s Doge unit claims to have saved ‘north of £100 million’
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£100million on ‘work from home’ employees
The party exposed Kent County Council for spending £100million of taxpayer money per year on “work from home” employees, sparking a furious attack from Mr Yusuf.
“Reform’s Doge team spent several days there and the office was a wasteland. Nobody working, he said.
“The CEO says these employees have monitoring software on their laptops but she does not ‘actively check’ whether their employees are using them.”
Nigel Farage-led Reform UK took control of a number of councils following local elections in May
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Millions spent on inefficient projects
The Doge unit exposed millions spent by councils on inefficient projects.
This ranged from £150million for a disused waste recycling plant in Derbyshire to Doncaster splurging £20million on bike lanes that failed to result in a cycling surge.
Taxpayers foot bill for golf trips and takeaways for migrants
After a turquoise tidal wave swept Kent County Council away from the Conservative Party, Reform UK revealed a mounting taxpayer bill paying for migrants to enjoy activities including golf trips, circus visits and takeaways.
West Northamptonshire council is among the local authorities now led by Reform UK
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NIGEL FARAGEThe money was also found to be spent on gift cards and purchases from Currys, Argos and Amazon.
The council however claimed these expenses come from central Government.
Mr Yusuf also claimed Kent County Council spent taxpayers’ cash covering TV licence fees for asylum seekers.
Millions spent on net zero
Reform UK earlier slammed Durham County Council for setting aside £120million to meet net zero targets ahead of 2030.
Meanwhile, a net zero consultant was found to be paid £44,000 as part of plans to draw up a waste strategy in West Northamptonshire.
£500k for council’s ergonomic chairs
In May, Reform UK exposed a series of staff-related cost at local authorities, including £520,000 spent by Lincolnshire County Council on a four-year contract for ergonomic chairs.
The party also revealed £11,500 a year was spent for Lincolnshire County Council to run eight diversity courses.