Reform UK has announced it will penalize local councils that fail to uphold the Supreme Court's recent ruling on single-sex spaces, threatening to cut their funding if they do not comply. Robert Jenrick, Reform's treasury spokesman, stated that town halls defying the new regulations, which mandate services be provided according to biological sex rather than gender identity, could "wave goodbye to taxpayers' money."
This policy would be implemented through the Local Government Finance Settlement, a £90 billion fund used by central government to distribute taxes, grants, and set business rates, serving as a primary revenue stream for councils. A future Reform UK government would make adherence to the single-sex space rules a mandatory condition for receiving these funds.
"A Reform UK Government won’t tolerate this nonsense," Jenrick said. "If councils won’t abide by the law and respect women-only spaces, they can wave goodbye to taxpayers' money. Women and girls across the country must know their rights under the law will always be protected. We will stop at nothing to ensure our agenda is delivered."
Lambeth Council in London has reportedly confirmed its intention to defy the new rules. However, leaders from five other London boroughs have committed to maintaining inclusive services, cautioning that the new regulations could be perceived as discriminatory towards transgender individuals.
Reform UK also plans to withhold funds from councils that refuse cooperation with Home Office immigration raids, citing Lewisham Council's recent stance as an example. A party source indicated an expectation of further resistance from "left-wing councils trying to subvert the stuff we care about."
Jenrick's announcement comes ahead of a significant by-election in Clacton-on-Sea, triggered by the resignation of Reform leader Nigel Farage. The election features a record 34 candidates on an unusually long ballot paper. The vote is scheduled for Thursday, with polls closing after a campaign that Farage has framed as a contest between "the establishment versus the people."
A government spokesperson commented, "Everyone should follow the law. The rules give service providers the clear, workable guidance they need."