Reform-led councils have so far blocked Doge access to restricted data
14/07/2025 | Finantial Times
Several UK councils now controlled by Reform UK are resisting attempts by the party's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) unit to access personal and commercially sensitive data, potentially hindering a controversial cost-cutting initiative. Senior legal and data staff at some Reform-run councils have reportedly blocked access for the unelected Doge volunteers, with Kent County Council even hiring external counsel to challenge data access.
A senior Reform figure confirmed no data-sharing agreements are currently in place. Concerns primarily revolve around compliant personal data processing under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other commercially sensitive information.
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