Entrepreneur and investor James Watt, best known as the co-founder of BrewDog, has just announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at tackling government inefficiency. He’s calling it Corgi, which stands for The Coalition for Organisational Reform & Government Improvement. It’s essentially the UK’s answer to America’s controversial yet buzzworthy DOGE movement led by Elon Musk.
So what exactly is Corgi? And why should you care? Let’s break it down.
According to Watt, Corgi isn’t about party politics, it’s about fixing systemic issues in how taxpayer money is spent. The coalition vows to:
1. Uncover billions in wasted taxpayer money: This is no small claim. With the UK government projected to spend £1.276 trillion this year alone, even a 1% saving could plug gaping holes in public finances.
2. Publish reports exposing where the system is broken: Transparency will be key here. By shining a light on inefficiencies, Corgi aims to hold public bodies accountable and spark meaningful change.
3. Work with ex-civil servants, data scientists, and AI engineers to propose real solutions: Watt isn’t just pointing fingers; he wants actionable fixes. Leveraging expertise from former insiders and cutting-edge tech, Corgi plans to offer practical ways to streamline operations and save cash.
Already, over 200 experts have volunteered their time, for free, to help make this happen. That includes civil servants who’ve seen inefficiencies firsthand, data wizards capable of crunching numbers like never before, and AI engineers ready to bring innovation into the mix.
To understand why Watt has thrown his hat into this ring, we need to look at the current state of Britain’s economy. Things aren’t pretty. Here are some hard facts:
Growth has flatlined: According to recent Bank of England reports, economic activity weakened significantly in late 2024, with GDP per capita dropping sharply. In simpler terms, people’s living standards are falling.
Taxes are skyrocketing: Labour leader Rachel Reeves has pushed taxes beyond historic highs, and there’s talk of further hikes in 2025. For businesses already struggling under the weight of inflation and sluggish demand, this feels like piling on more bricks.
Public services are collapsing: NHS waiting times are at record levels, schools are stretched thin, and overcrowded prisons are releasing inmates early due to lack of space. Meanwhile, national debt is spiraling out of control, with taxpayers shelling out over £100 billion annually just to cover interest payments.
As Watt puts it, “We’re trapped in a vicious cycle.” Taxes rise, services deteriorate, productivity falls, and entrepreneurs flee, all while government spending continues unchecked. Something had to give, and Watt decided to step in.
The bigger picture: can governments be run like businesses?
One question looms large: Can governments really operate like businesses? Critics argue they can’t—and shouldn’t. Scott Murray, an economist and co-founder of Seven Recruitment, weighed in on social media, saying: “You can NOT run a country like a business. Cutting government spending means cutting the country’s income, which is never good. Taxes don’t fund government—they control inflation.”
This perspective highlights a fundamental divide in how people view fiscal policy. On one side, you have those who believe austerity measures (like slashing budgets) will lead to long-term savings. On the other, skeptics warn such cuts could cripple essential services and deepen the crisis.
Watt seems aware of these debates but remains undeterred. His focus isn’t necessarily on slashing budgets indiscriminately—it’s about identifying waste and reallocating resources effectively. As he told supporters during the announcement:
“If our government can become significantly more frugal with how it spends your money, that represents a far better solution than simply raising taxes, which leads to job losses and economic pain for everyone.”
Corgi draws clear inspiration from Elon Musk’s DOGE project in the U.S., which uses Freedom of Information requests and whistleblower hotlines to expose wasteful spending. While Musk’s efforts have sparked both praise and criticism, they’ve undoubtedly put pressure on American institutions to clean house.
But can the same approach work in the UK? Some say yes, others no. Martin Greenwood, founder of WeWantGroups.com, points out:
“Opinion will be massively split thanks to decades of social engineering by the media. Some will see cutting funding as ‘evil,’ while others recognize the urgent need for reform.”
Greenwood’s comments points to the challenge Watt faces, not just in uncovering inefficiencies but in convincing the public that change is necessary. After all, any attempt to reduce spending risks being labeled heartless or shortsighted, especially when it comes to cherished programs like healthcare and education.
While many have rallied behind Watt’s mission, not everyone is convinced. Hussain Chowdhury, director of Ultimate Asset EMEA, challenged Watt on social media, asking: “Why didn’t you call any of this out over the last 14 years? As an influential business owner, you could have done more earlier.”
Watt responded directly, noting that he was critical of previous Conservative governments, particularly regarding Brexit and austerity policies. But Chowdhury wasn’t satisfied, arguing that Watt’s silence until now makes him seem opportunistic.
Others, however, see value in Watt’s timing. Kate McCormick, another commenter, emphasized the importance of accountability regardless of political affiliation: “If spending is wrong, it has to be addressed. If people lose jobs because of mismanagement, so be it. We all adapt.”
Her pragmatic stance reflects a growing sentiment among Britons fed up with bureaucracy and eager for tangible results.
For now, Corgi is still in its infancy, but momentum is building fast. The coalition has already set up a hotline for whistleblowers to report waste anonymously, and its first monthly report is expected soon. Early targets include areas like PR spending (£749 million annually), IT projects gone awry, and redundancies within bloated bureaucracies.
Whether Corgi succeeds depends largely on two factors: its ability to deliver credible, actionable insights, and its capacity to sway public opinion. If Watt and his team can prove their worth quickly, they may well carve out a niche as watchdogs for the people.
James Watt’s entry into the world of government accountability comes at a more critical moment. As the UK grapples with rising taxes, faltering growth, and crumbling public services, can initiatives like Corgi offer a glimmer of hope, or at least a starting point?
Will it fix everything overnight? No. But as Watt himself says, “It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s a start.” And sometimes, that’s all it takes to ignite real change.
What do you think of Corgi?
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