Robert Jenrick has announced plans to cut public spending by more than £100billion across Reform’s first 100 days in power, as he took aim at Rachel Reeves.
The party’s treasury spokesman said he would cut £50billion from welfare, slash another £20-30billion from other departments and reduce debt interest by £28billion.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the party’s conference at the NEC in Birmingham, the Newark MP said: “We won’t make the same mistake as Rachel Reeves”, a reference to the former Chancellor’s delay in holding her first Budget.
Reform UK is the first party to hold its conference this year, prominently featuring the slogan “100 days of Reform”, with senior party members setting out their plan for power, should they form a majority government.
Mr Jenrick told The Telegraph: “If you are, for example, someone who works in a distribution centre, like a lot of people in my constituency, you get up early, get your kids ready for school, work hard and then come home where you are struggling to cover your bills that keep going up.
“But you might be living next door to someone living on benefits whose curtains are closed, maybe has a Motability car on the drive and has Just Eat bringing a takeaway to them.
“That can’t be right and, under Reform, there will be no more something for nothing.”
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President Macron arrives in Downing Street
The Macrons and Burnhams meeting outside Downing Street
| GB NEWS
President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Downing Street for a meeting with Andy Burnham.
The French President met with the Prime Minister as he was accompanied by France’s first lady Brigitte Macron and Mr Burnham’s wife Marie-France van Heel.
The four smiled for the cameras before walking into No10.
Sadiq Khan’s DVLA conviction for failing to pay car tax quashed after falling victim to ‘scam’
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s DVLA conviction has been withdrawn following a DVLA request | PAA conviction against Sir Sadiq Khan has been quashed after the London Mayor was accused of failing to pay car tax on a vehicle, which he described as a “scam”.
Following a request from the DVLA, a hearing at Hereford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday scrapped the conviction against Sir Sadiq Khan.
In August, a criminal prosecution was brought by the DVLA after the Mayor was accused of failing to pay car tax on a 24-year-old Nissan Micra.
Following a controversial Single Justice Procedure case, the Mayor was ordered to pay a fine of £220, as well as £85 in costs and to settle a £35.84 bill in unpaid tax.
Tories set out plan to slash welfare spending by as much as £33billion to fund defence
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge has outlined how the Tories will cut £33billion in welfare spending and other areas in order to bolster Britain’s defences.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Cartlidge said of the plans: “We set out £23billion of welfare savings at conference, which enable us essentially to announce our economy package, with measures like cutting stamp duty to get the economy going.
“Since then, I’ve been working on getting funding for defence. We announced money back in December a two-child benefit cap would be restored to fund defence earlier this year, and today we’ve completed that work. So the £10billion more is not entirely welfare, but the welfare savings in it are in addition to the £23billion previously set out.
“We set out our plan today, and it will be interesting to see if the Government follows it at some point.”
Labour minister says party is ‘very very clear’ about sovereignty of the Falklands
Labour minister Anna Turley
| GB NEWS
A Labour minister has made it “very very clear” about the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands following President Donald Trump’s comments the US stance on the territory was “under review.”
Home Office Minister Anna Turley told GB News: “I am afraid the Falklands are British. They will be British, we are very, very clear on that.
“You know, the Government cannot be more clear. The Falklands are British. They will remain so. And that is absolutely our position.”
Zack Polanski launches bid to become MP as he puts himself forward for by-election to replace Keir Starmer
Zack Polanski has confirmed he will stand as the Green Party’s candidate for the by-election in Holborn and St Pancras.
The London Assembly member, who celebrated the one year anniversary of his election to lead the party this week, said he was “ready to fight” for the seat left vacant following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer.
Mr Polanski told the Camden New Journal: “I have lived and worked in this community over many years, I know it well and I love it.
“It represents so many of the things that make London so special. I am so excited by the prospect of representing this place in Parliament.”