Nigel Farage unleashes ‘Doge’ unit on first council as Reform vows to save taxpayers’ cash

Nigel Farage will today launch a new “Doge” unit at Reform’s first local council in a bid to clampdown on waste and inefficiency.

Reform UK’s “Doge” unit, which is comprised of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors, will visit each of the 10 councils Reform controls.

The unit will start in Kent today to look into ways to claw back taxpayers’ cash.

The group, appointed by Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf, is expected be led by a top tech tycoon.

Reform has not yet named him, although the populist party says he has a specialism in data analytics and has also been a turnaround chief executive.

Yusuf said: “For too long, British taxpayers have watched their money vanish into a black hole.

“Their taxes keep going up, their bin collections keep getting less frequent, potholes remain unfixed, their local services keep getting cut.

“Reform won a historic victory on a mandate to change this. As promised, we have created a UK Doge to identify and cut wasteful spending of taxpayer money.

“Our team will use cutting edge technology and deliver real value for voters.”

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READ IN FULL: Reform’s council leader informs Kent County Council about ‘Doge’ unit

Reform’s Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran has written to the local authority’s chief executive Amanda Beer to announce her intention to undertake a review of the council’s “financial management, procurement activity, and associated governance arrangements”.

“This review is part of Reform’s commitment to transparency, accountability, the prudent management of public funds and the highest standards in public life,” the letter stated.

“Conducting this work was a core part of Reform’s local manifesto. We believe it is in the public interest to ensure that the council’s financial and procurement systems are robust, lawful, and value-driven.

“To that end, Kent council has appointed the Doge team, a unit of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors to conduct this review on our behalf.”

How much have Reform-run councils been spending?

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