Kent County Council, now under Reform leadership following the recent local elections, is expected to raise council tax by 5% next year. Despite previous pledges by the Reform UK party to review council spending for efficiency, the council admits that services are currently operating at minimal levels. Diane Morton, a council member overseeing adult social care and public health, emphasized the increasing demand for services and the need for additional funding.
Many councils nationwide raised council tax by 4.99% earlier this year, facing financial challenges. The Reform council members acknowledged the difficulty in identifying substantial cost reductions as initially anticipated. Linden Kemkaran, the leader of Kent County Council, highlighted the council’s role as a showcase for potential future governance under Reform leadership.
In response, Labour MP Polly Billington criticized the Reform council’s inability to deliver on promised savings, suggesting that only Labour could effectively manage the country’s affairs. As councils prepare to finalize their budgets in early 2026, the decision to increase council tax by 5% reflects the ongoing financial pressures faced by local authorities.