Nigel Farage Targets Council 'Non-Jobs' in County Durham....

Nigel Farage at a Reform UK conference

The Reform UK leader made his pledge to rid councils such as the newly gained Durham County Council of 'non-jobs' such as climate & diversity roles as his bid to tackle council wasteful spending begins...

4th May 2025

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK this week issued a stark warning to council staff in newly acquired Reform-controlled councils, particularly in County Durham, following the party’s significant gains in the 2025 local elections.

Farage has advised at his latest political conference shortly after the results were declared that employees working from home or in roles he deems are “non-jobs”—such as those focused on climate change initiatives or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—to start seeking alternative careers. This directive, delivered during a victory rally in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has sparked heated debate about the future of local government & whether Reform UK could be about to uncover millions of pounds worth of wasteful spending occurring in Local Government.

Reform UK’s Electoral Triumph and New Agenda

Reform UK’s success in the 2025 local elections marked a seismic shift in British politics. The party secured control of Ten county councils, including Durham, where it won 65 council seats, ousting Labour, which had dominated the region for over a century. This “political earthquake,” as Farage described it, saw Reform gain 677 seats nationwide, positioning the party as a formidable challenger to both Labour and the Conservatives. Farage hailed the results as “the end of two-party politics” and a sign that Reform is now the “main opposition party” in many parts of the country.

With newfound power, Farage has outlined an aggressive agenda inspired by what he calls a British version of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at slashing government spending in the U.S. In County Durham and other Reform-led councils, this translates to a focus on reducing “excessive expenditure” and redirecting resources to what Mr Farage considers core council functions. His primary targets? Remote workers, climate initiatives, and DEI roles, which he argues are wasteful and disconnected from the priorities of local taxpayers....

The Warning to Council Staff

Speaking at The Big Club in Newton Aycliffe, Farage was unequivocal: “I would advise anybody who’s working for Durham County Council on climate change initiatives, or diversity, equity and inclusion, or thinks they can go on working from home, I think you all better really be seeking alternative careers very, very quickly.” This statement, echoed across media outlets and social media, sent shockwaves through local government, with employees and unions scrambling to respond.

Newly elected Reform Councillor Darren Grimes says auditors need to becalled into DCC to look into wasteful spending

Farage’s rhetoric was reinforced by Reform UK councillor Darren Grimes, a former GB News presenter, who told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that a Reform UK led Durham County Council would immediately bring in auditors to scrutinise spending on “net-zero pet projects” and DEI roles, which he claimed diverts funds from essential services. Grimes argued that councils such as DCC are wasting “fortunes” on initiatives such as rainbow crossings or hiring diversity managers on salaries of £70,000 a year, a sentiment Farage has leaned into heavily.

Farage’s attack on remote work and specific council roles stems from a broader Reform UK narrative that champions “value for money” and a return to traditional governance. The party argues that local councils across the country have overreached into areas such as climate change and DEI, which they see as either unnecessary or better handled by central government or private sectors. Farage has criticised many local councils for spending millions on consultants and projects that he believes do not directly benefit local taxpayers, such as net-zero policies or diversity programs mandated by the Equality Act.

Farage's 'purge' on the Work from Home Brigade should have officers at HBC 'worried' !

Hybrid Workers working for Hartlepool Borough Council could be soon about to see their work from home days well & truly over in a Reform held Hartlepool BC (Image Credit Grock)

The push against working from home reflects a cultural shift Reform UK wants to enforce. Farage has called for “no more working from home” and “increased productivity from staff,” suggesting that remote work undermines efficiency. This stance resonates with some voters who feel public sector workers have become too comfortable with flexible working arrangements post-pandemic, with nearby Hartlepool Borough Council, who seen Reform UK gain a council seat from the Labour Party this week operating what's known as a Hybrid Working System, with council officers working on a split 50/50 time from working at home & working on site, something that could be set to end if Reform UK gain any further seats on the local council that in 2023 was declared an authority of no public confidence by a public petition of over 4000 local residents...

Backlash and Union Response

Christina McAnea, Head of Unison has made a plea for those in the target of Farage's 'purge' to join their union...

The response to Farage’s comments has been both swift and fierce. Christina McAnea, head of Unison, the UK’s largest trade union & one of the primary political donors to nearby Hartlepool Labour MP Jonathan Brash, urged council staff in the now Reform-controlled council areas to join the union, warning that Farage’s “Trump-esque” cuts threaten livelihoods. McAnea emphasised that local councils are stretched thin, with many “balancing on the edge of the financial precipice” due to years of underfunding. She argued that Farage’s promises to slash spending are unrealistic, as much of council budgets are legally mandated for services like social care.

Critics also point out that Farage’s targeting of DEI and climate roles may oversimplify complex issues. Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit, noted that spending on these areas is often minimal and that diversity initiatives are tied to legal obligations under the Equality Act. Moreover, some councils, like Lincolnshire, have revealed they don’t even employ dedicated DEI officers, undermining Reform’s narrative in certain cases.

What’s Next for County Durham and Beyond?

Durham County Council has an operational budget of around £1.3 Billion Pounds & is one of the largest local councils in the country...

As Reform UK begins to govern in County Durham and other council areas, all eyes will be on how they translate rhetoric into policy. Auditors are already being brought in to review spending, but critics warn that significant cuts may be difficult without compromising essential services. That's raised the burning question over whether Durham County Councils already favourable Council Tax Support System, that provides 100% discount to struggling households could be the first to be reviewed, with Farage also said to be resisting central government efforts to house asylum seekers in Reform-controlled counties, something that's become a major issue in County Durham but could also lead to legal battles.

For council staff, the uncertainty is palpable. Those in targeted roles face an unclear future, whilst unions are set to be gearing up for a fight. The broader public, meanwhile, will be watching to see if Reform’s promises of efficiency and tax savings actually materialise or if the party’s inexperience in governance leads to chaos, as Labour and Conservative sources have repeatedly warned...

For now, council workers in Durham and beyond are left with a clear message from their now Reform UK bosses: adapt or simply move on. Whether they heed Farage’s advice or fight back remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this is only the beginning of Reform UK’s controversial push for change & its certainly made the headlines !