Farage regrets move to run 'bankrupt' council

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he wishes the party "hadn't bothered" to take control of Worcestershire County Council, because of its financial problems.

The Reform-led authority recently approved a council tax rise of almost 9%, one of the largest in its history, in a bid to balance its books and avoid effective bankruptcy amid a budget shortfall.

When questioned about the decision to increase tax, which is higher than the standard 5% normally allowed, Farage said the party had inherited the council and "didn't make it bankrupt".

"Worcestershire, I have to say, we took minority control of a virtually bankrupt council, I wish we hadn't bothered," he said.

The BBC has contacted both Reform UK and the county council for comment.

When asked whether he wished his party hadn't won Worcestershire at the polls last year, Farage said: "No, no, no - we didn't win the election, we formed a coalition and we were always [going to be] on a hiding to nothing.

"Take Worcestershire out, because of exceptional circumstances."

Reform UK, which had previously pledged to cut tax during its election campaign, took over leadership of the county council from the Conservatives following the local elections in May, but has no overall majority.

Councillors voted through its 2026-27 budget last month, with the tax rise set to add about £145 a year to Band D bills from April.

It has already scrapped £30m in capital spending and is withdrawing vacant job posts in areas like IT, finance and HR as part of a plan to cut millions from its spending.

The government also agreed to finance up to £59.9m in emergency support, to help fill a black hole in the budget.

Farage suggested the average council tax rise by Reform-led authorities may be even lower if Worcestershire wasn't included.

"It's bankrupt. We didn't make it bankrupt, we inherited it," he said.

"Look at the ones that we're in control of... of course if you took Worcestershire out the rise would be even lower than it is."