Reform UK hires Adam Smith Institute economist, sparking debate over pension lock and NHS privatization
Reform UK has added Adam Smith Institute economist Mitchell Palmer as a senior adviser, a figure known for opposing the pension triple lock and backing NHS privatisation.
Robert Jenrick, Reform UK’s economic spokesperson, announced the recruitment of Mitchell Palmer, a free-market economist from the Adam Smith Institute, as a key aide. Palmer has repeatedly argued that the state-pension triple lock is an expensive, unsustainable guarantee and suggested alternatives that avoid its “unpredictable ratcheting effect.” He also called for the privatisation of the NHS, citing poor performance, low cancer survival rates and safety concerns, and has advocated ending VAT exemptions, imposing a land tax, and encouraging high-skill migration.
His libertarian stance pushes the party further right than its existing platform, intensifying internal debate between proponents of deep tax cuts and those fearing voter backlash over steep welfare reductions. The appointment arrives as Reform prepares to propose £50 bn annual welfare cuts by 2030, prompting dissent from figures such as home-affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf. Critics argue the move signals a shift toward more radical market-oriented policies.
Why it matters
The adviser’s radical economic views could reshape Reform UK’s policy platform and influence future welfare and pension reforms.
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