Reform UK civil service cuts plan criticised for impossible targets

A Reform UK proposal to reduce the civil service workforce has drawn sharp criticism after analysis revealed the targets are mathematically unachievable in key sectors. The policy paper, titled *Storm and Sunshine* and led by MP Danny Kruger, promises to save more than £5bn annually by cutting the full-time-equivalent headcount by 13 per cent. However, scrutiny of the December publication indicates the plan would require dismissing more planning officers than currently exist and removing at least two-thirds of psychologists supporting prison staff.

The document calls for a reduction of 450 full-time equivalents in planning roles, which it claims would save £40m a year. Yet, 2025 civil service statistics show there are only 445 planners employed across the civil service, with approximately a third based at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. When questioned on how cuts could exceed the existing workforce, a Reform spokesperson stated that the total included 440 planning inspectors at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Planning inspectors work for the Planning Inspectorate, an arm of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government responsible for deciding on planning appeals and handling recommendations for major infrastructure projects. It remains unclear how this function would continue given the proposed reduction exceeds the current headcount. The spokesperson maintained that the party’s figures stand, despite the apparent discrepancy.

The plan also pledges to cut 930 occupational psychology roles, saving £60m a year. Civil service data indicates that of the 1,390 psychologists employed, 90 per cent work in the prison and probation service, primarily supporting the welfare of prison staff. A Reform spokesperson argued that prisons would be safer places to work under their government and that conditions for officers would improve, though no details were provided on how the loss of psychological support would be managed.

Another measure targets a reduction of 2,500 security roles, or roughly a quarter of the total, to save £150m a year. The bulk of the 7,000 security positions are located in the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office, including cybersecurity roles. A Reform spokesperson confirmed the party had not specified which departments would be targeted for these cuts. Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood condemned the proposals as unrealistic and dangerous, stating they were not worth the paper they were written on.