Reform UK leader pushes to replace UK GDPR with lighter data rules

At a Tuesday press briefing, Reform UK’s Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick unveiled a commitment to repeal the UK GDPR, replacing it with a “light-touch” regime modeled on New Zealand’s privacy framework, which limits fines to NZ$50,000. They claim the current rules stifle small businesses and technology firms, and that Britain should no longer follow “ridiculous EU privacy laws.” Opponents, including Labour’s Sir Mel Stride, argue the plan is vague, could cost billions, and risks the EU’s adequacy decision that allows seamless data exchange.

The party is simultaneously defending itself in a High Court case brought by the Good Law Project over alleged non-compliance with the existing GDPR. The data-policy pledge is bundled with other Reform UK promises such as reversing the 2024 National Insurance rise, cutting taxes for small enterprises, and scrapping the 2035 zero-emission vehicle mandate. Labour officials have dismissed the proposals as unrealistic and potentially harmful to consumer protections.