Reform UK councillors reject proposed allowance increase

The Reform UK councillor group on Rochdale Borough Council has formally rejected a proposed increase in councillor allowances, with every group member notifying the council’s governance team that they will not accept any additional payout.

The controversial increase was rubber-stamped by Labour councillors present at the full council meeting on Thursday 16 July, with every single Labour member in attendance voting in favour. In contrast, Reform UK councillors voted unanimously against the motion, while other political groups on the council either abstained or voted against. At a time when local residents continue to face significant cost-of-living pressures and squeezed household budgets, the Reform UK group believes it is entirely wrong to increase politician payouts funded by the taxpayer. Each Reform UK councillor has now individually written to council officers to officially opt out of the increase, ensuring the extra funds remain in the public purse.

Speaking on behalf of the Reform UK group, Group Leader Councillor John Taylor said: "Hard-working families across Rochdale are having to make tough financial decisions every single day. The idea that local politicians should push through an increase in their own allowances—as Labour did at the full council meeting on 16 July—is completely out of touch with reality. We were elected to serve our community, not to line our own pockets. Reform UK voted against this increase in the chamber, and every single member of our group has now formally instructed council governance that we will refuse to take a single extra penny. We urge councillors from other parties to do the right thing and follow our lead." Reform UK remains committed to promoting financial responsibility, cutting waste in local government, and ensuring council resources are spent directly on frontline public services for the people of Rochdale.