Robert Jenrick has unveiled Reform UK‘s plans to end the “foreign welfare rip-off”. A Reform government would ban foreign nationals from claiming almost all kinds of benefits in the UK as part of a wider overhaul.
The party’s Treasury spokesman told a press conference: “We will begin by ending the foreign welfare rip-off. Under a Reform government only British citizens will be entitled to benefits.”
Mr Jenrick also announced a “welfare to work” policy to force long-term benefit claimants, who are fit to work, to do 20-hours of work a week in the community.
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Tories blast Reform’s ‘fantasy numbers’
In response to Reform’s press conference, shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “I introduced reforms to cut the sprawling welfare budget after the pandemic by reducing the numbers on long-term benefits and radically overhauling PIP.
“Labour called them ‘divisive’ and scrapped all of them, allowing the benefits bill to continue spiralling. Robert Jenrick hailed my reforms for making the system fairer and enabling us to cut taxes responsibly.
“Reform continue to flip-flop like they did on the two-child benefit cap, and their fantasy numbers are simply not plausible. Meanwhile, Labour are totally failing to tackle the scale of our welfare problem.
“Only the Conservatives have a radical and credible plan to cut the welfare bill and get Britain working again.”
Tice defends Yusuf after claims of Farage rift
Reform UK’s Richard Tice has defended the party’s home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf after reports that Nigel Farage has “fallen out of love” with him.
Mr Yusuf sparked a row last week after branding Tory former defence secretary Ben Wallace as a “traitor” on social media, with Mr Farage later saying he had gone “over the top”.
Responding to questions at the press conference, Mr Tice was asked if he was “running out of patience” with Mr Yusuf.
He said: “Honestly, no is the answer. Zia is doing a brilliant job, he had a fantastic press conference last week, and I mean I know it’s August and people are a bit short of stories, but it’s best not to make things up.”
Jenrick announces ‘wefare to work’ policy
Long-term benefits claimants will be made to clean up their local high street and do charity work or face being stripped of their payments, Robert Jenrick has said.
The “welfare to work” policy would see those who are fit to work forced to do 20-hours of work a week in the community.
Mr Jenrick said: “Those taking everyone else for mugs, under a Reform government, it’s going to stop.”
He added: “They’ll work to clean up high streets and parks, to beautify neglected places, to carry out minor repairs, to staff libraries and community centres to perform many other tasks from the list that we’ve published today.
“We’ll also embrace local charities and community groups and ask them to help us and take part. If claimants refuse to participate or fail to show up, they’ll face penalties.
“Let me speak very plainly. If people who are capable of work refuse, then they’ll get nothing. That’s fair.”
(Image: Getty)
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Reform to end ‘foreign welfare rip-off’
Robert Jenrick said Reform UK would end the “foreign welfare rip-off”.
He said: “We will begin by ending the foreign welfare rip-off. Under a Reform government only British citizens will be entitled to benefits.”
He said that there would be “limited exceptions” but added: “The welfare state is there for Britain, no British citizenship, no entitlement, that’s fair.”
He said the move would save taxpayers £21 billion a year by 2029.