Nottinghamshire council agreed to a £75,000 scheme to hang Union Flags at sites across the county in the autumn. The plan involves attaching flags to brackets on approximately 180 lamp-posts and other locations.

Reform UK won control of Nottinghamshire council in the May elections. A report by the council justified the cost as a way to enhance civic pride, stating the national flag embodies national unity and the collective values of communities within the United Kingdom.

Lee Anderson, the Reform MP for Ashfield, posted a video to social media in December regarding the flag scheme. Anderson said, "There's been a few people moaning about these in … the usual third-rate media outlets, saying it's cost £75,000 and it's a waste of taxpayers' money." He added, "Let me tell you: yes, it has cost £75,000 to put these up all throughout Nottinghamshire, but the good news is, it will not cost the taxpayer a single penny because we want to get these sponsored by local businesses." Anderson stated businesses would cover "the fitting, the upkeep and the maintenance" and said, "The people who are spouting this nonsense about its costing us a fortune – it's not costing you a single penny."

However, a council spokesperson stated that no sponsors had been found for the scheme seven months after the announcement. The council is paying for the flag scheme. A council document clarified that the brackets could also be used to hang banners informing people about local services, and Anderson mentioned they would enable advertising for foster and kinship carers.

The council previously banned speaking to journalists from the area's biggest local newspaper, a ban that ended after a threat of legal action. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper commented on the financial aspect and the council's communication policy. Cooper said, "Turns out 30p Lee is more like £75k Lee when it comes to spending taxpayers' money." She added, "If this is how they're handling council finances, it's no wonder Reform have copied the Trumpian playbook and barred local journalists from being able to scrutinise them."

Reform UK policy states that their councils should only fly the union flag, St George's flag, and relevant county or local emblems. As a result, Reform UK councils no longer fly Ukrainian flags as a show of solidarity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lamented the decision. He said in June, "I don't want to be involved in any political things, but you know, the world is so sensitive today." He added, "Sometimes little, small mistakes can break big friendship or huge contacts."