Reform UK Pledges to Scrap UK GDPR in Pro Business Push

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and economy chief Robert Jenrick have announced plans to scrap the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in favor of a light touch alternative. The party suggests a model similar to New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020, which allows for lower fines compared to the multi million pound penalties possible under current UK law. Farage stated that small businesses have been suffocated by EU red tape and punishing taxes, while Jenrick argued that the UK should no longer follow EU privacy laws ten years after the Brexit referendum.

The proposal is part of a broader economic platform. Reform UK has vowed to reverse the 2024 National Insurance increase, scrap income tax on overtime pay, loosen inheritance tax for farms, and increase the VAT registration floor from 90,000 pounds to 150,000 pounds. The party also intends to scrap the 2035 Zero Emission Vehicle mandate and alter the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme to benefit family investments in businesses.

Critics have challenged the feasibility of these plans. A Labour spokesperson described the pledges as unworkable and unserious, while Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride claimed they would cost billions of pounds and collapse on contact with reality. Additionally, the party is currently facing a legal battle with the Good Law Project over allegations that it failed to comply with existing UK GDPR rules regarding data disclosure and deletion.

Experts note that significant divergence from EU data protection laws could jeopardize the UK's active adequacy decision, which allows personal data to flow freely across borders without extra legal hurdles.