Reform UK’s flagship cost-cutting drive is under fire after it emerged that tech investor Harriet Green, whose firm Basis Capital backs businesses competing with local government, has been proposed to analyse West Northamptonshire Council’s spending data. Critics warn her dual role risks conflicts of interest and breaches of procurement rules, while Reform’s Department of Government Efficiency struggles to overcome legal barriers. The controversy now threatens the credibility of Reform’s promise to slash council costs and boost efficiency.
Reform UK is facing questions after it emerged that Harriet Green, a tech investor and founder of Basis Capital, is playing a central role in efforts to cut costs at West Northamptonshire Council. Green’s involvement comes through Reform’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as Doge, which is tasked with identifying waste and inefficiency across local authorities controlled by the party. Her firm invests in businesses that compete with or provide services to local government, prompting councillors to raise concerns about conflicts of interest and the appropriateness of her accessing sensitive council data.
Green has so far been the only person proposed by Doge to analyse spending records, including costs for IT systems and asylum seeker housing. Senior officers are vetting her involvement as they weigh the legal and ethical implications. Critics argue that her firm’s stated mission to “outcompete the state” could create an unfair advantage for companies backed by Basis. Conservative councillor Daniel Lister and Liberal Democrat leader Jonathan Harris both questioned whether her role breaches procurement rules and risks giving private businesses inside access to information.
Reform UK set up Doge earlier this year, led by Zia Yusuf, to mirror efficiency drives like those spearheaded by Elon Musk in the US. The unit promised a team of engineers, analysts and auditors, but has struggled with legal barriers to data access. So far, Doge has visited only a handful of councils, with West Northamptonshire the closest to granting data-sharing approval. While Yusuf insists the initiative can save millions, some councils under Reform control have already admitted cutting costs will be far more challenging than promised.
Amid mounting scrutiny, council reports have stressed the importance of remaining politically neutral in any data-sharing agreement, noting the legal prohibition on promoting party interests. For now, Green’s vetting continues, leaving the future of Reform’s flagship cost-cutting programme uncertain.
