Reform-run Kent council accused of fabricating £40m net zero savings

The Reform UK leader of Kent council, Linden Kemkaran, with the national party leader, Nigel Farage. Kemkaran promised a ‘laser-like focus on getting value for money’. Photograph: PA Images/Alamy

Reform UK’s flagship council has been accused of telling a “blatant lie” after its claim of nearly £40m in savings on net zero was found to be based on hypothetical projects for which there was no documentation.

Kent county council, which has a £2.5bn annual budget, is one of 10 where Nigel Farage’s party has outright control and is seen as a test case for whether the insurgent party can govern competently.