Lib Dems Demand Transparency Over Devolution Spending

The Worcester Liberal Democrats are calling on the Reform administration to provide clarity on its devolution plans and to reveal how much public money has been spent on consultants exploring these proposals.

Liberal Democrat Co-Leader, Cllr Jessie Jagger, has submitted a Freedom of Information request to uncover the total amount spent, committed, and expected to be spent on consultancy work linked to devolution since the last local election.

Cllr Jagger said:

“Reform doesn’t seem to know what direction it wants to take – one week it talks about a single unitary authority, the next it hints at two. This uncertainty risks wasting taxpayers’ money, and residents deserve to know how much is being spent on consultants rather than improving local services. So much for promises of cutting waste and being accountable.”

The Liberal Democrats have warned that any devolution deal must protect local democracy and ensure vital services, such as waste collection, remain under strong and local oversight.

“We need a clear plan, not mixed messages,” Cllr Jagger added. “As Liberal Democrats, we will keep challenging this confusion and push for full transparency on how public money is used.”