- Nigel Farage is set to officially launch Reform UK’s local election campaign in Sunderland on Thursday, ahead of the May 7 polls.
- He will promise "a breath of fresh air in English councils up and down the UK" and highlight the party's claimed achievements in local authorities.
- Reform UK claims to have identified £700 million in savings across its 12 councils, delivered “without touching frontline services”.
- Opposition councillors have disputed these savings claims, with Labour highlighting service closures in Reform-run Derbyshire.
- Labour also criticised Reform for increasing council tax despite previous promises to cut it, though Reform argues its average rises are lower than those of other parties.
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