Conservative challenges Reform's net zero spending claims at Walsall Council

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

A Conservative councillor at Walsall Council disputes Reform UK's claim that the Conservatives spent £23million on net zero, saying 97 per cent was externally funded.

The Conservative opposition leader at Walsall Council has accused Reform UK of misleading the public over net zero spending claims. Prior to May's local elections, Reform said the Conservative administration had spent over £23million on net zero and vowed to 'end the net zero madness' at the council.

When Councillor Adrian Andrew asked Reform leader Councillor Elaine Williams for a breakdown of the figure, 13 projects were listed totalling £23.796million. However, just £726,571—three per cent of the total—was funded by Walsall Council itself. The other 97 per cent came from government funding.

Councillor Andrew said Reform's claim was 'false' and misleading to the public. Although the money was taxpayers' funding, most came from national government rather than council spending. He said the claim gives him 'absolutely no confidence' in Reform's understanding of council finances and their management of the council's approximately £850million budget.

Conservative challenges Reform's net zero spending claims at Walsall Council — Image: Express & Star

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How it is being reported

Conservative says ‘no confidence’ in Walsall Council’s finances after Reform’s ‘false’ net zero claims“If they’re going to accuse us of anything, they need to make sure they’ve got it right”Express & Star · 25 Oct, 02:00
Conservative says ‘no confidence’ in council’s finances after Reform’s ‘false’ net zero claimsPrior to the local elections, Reform said that the Tories 'had spent over £23million in pursuit of net zero'BirminghamLive · 24 Oct, 08:00

In this story: Walsall Council · Reform UK · Conservative Party · Councillor Adrian Andrew · Councillor Elaine Williams · Walsall

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