Reform UK would reimpose two-child benefit cap

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Reform UK has announced its intention to fully reinstate the two-child benefit cap should the party gain power, marking a significant reversal from its earlier stance of abolishing the policy. Originally introduced by the Conservative government in 2017, this cap restricts parents from claiming universal credit or tax credits for more than two children. Robert Jenrick, speaking for the party as its new Treasury spokesperson, emphasized that the country currently cannot afford to provide financial support to working families for having additional children.

This shift from Reform UK’s prior approach is notable, particularly as party leader Nigel Farage had previously expressed skepticism about the benefit cap’s impact, stating last year that lifting it “was not a silver bullet” and hinting at broader measures to encourage family growth. Farage later clarified that any lifting of the cap would only apply to working British families. However, Jenrick’s recent address made clear that a future Reform government would reinstate the cap “in full.” He described the existing benefits system as both “an economic and a moral disaster,” and vowed to “defuse the benefits bomb set to bankrupt Britain” if elected.

In recent months, Reform UK has moderated some of its more ambitious economic policies in an effort to convince voters and financial markets of its credibility. This has included abandoning earlier pledges such as delivering £90 billion worth of tax cuts annually, bringing its platform closer to those of both Labour and the Conservatives. The two-child cap had been viewed as a potential tool for winning votes, since many of those affected are in employment. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves of Labour faced pressure to remove the cap as a strategy to reduce child poverty, with estimates forecasting that lifting the measure could reduce the number of children living in relative poverty by 450,000 by 2029-30.

The announcement also draws a clear distinction between Reform UK and Labour, with Conservatives—Jenrick’s former party—criticizing Labour’s plan to scrap the cap on the grounds that benefit recipients should make the same financial decisions about family size as others. Jenrick framed Reform UK as “the party of alarm clock Britain” and stressed their commitment to supporting workers over welfare dependence. In response, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the move as “shameful,” claiming it would push many children into poverty. The Conservative shadow chancellor, Sir Mel Stride, warned that Reform’s economic proposals would devastate public finances, questioning the reliability of their financial promises given the party’s previous contradictory positions.

Jenrick also addressed Reform UK’s approach to economic oversight, promising reforms to the Office for Budget Responsibility rather than its abolition, despite Farage’s earlier criticisms of the body. Alongside the benefit cap, Jenrick outlined several policy pledges including maintaining the Bank of England’s independence, cracking down on abuses of the Motability scheme for disabled individuals, requiring clinical diagnoses for mental health welfare claims, mandating in-person assessments for sickness or disability benefits, postponing tax cuts until fiscal conditions allow, supporting Heathrow expansion through emergency legislation if necessary, and maximizing the use of North Sea oil resources.

Further solidifying the party’s economic credentials, Farage has appointed Jenrick to lead on economic matters shortly after his defection from the Conservatives. Other recent Tory defectors such as Suella Braverman have taken on prominent roles within Reform UK: Braverman oversees education and skills policy, while deputy leader Richard Tice handles business, trade, and energy, and Zia Yusuf leads on home affairs. These appointments reflect Reform UK’s efforts to restructure and present a broad, experienced team ahead of forthcoming elections

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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