Politics latest: Tories bid to counter Farage with migrant benefits threat

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"Among the plans to be announced is a 23 billion cut to the welfare bill, replacing payments to people with low-level mental health conditions with treatment and barring non-citizens from claiming support. If implemented today, the policy would prevent around 470,000 people about 6 per cent of the UK's eight million universal credit claimants from receiving the benefit. The same restrictions would apply to disability benefits and the carer's allowance, though access to pensions and public services would remain unchanged."

The shadow chancellor will unveil proposals to cut £47 billion of government spending to counter Reform UK. Sir Mel Stride will outline plans at the Manchester conference to reduce welfare, foreign aid and civil service spending if the party wins the next election. The measures include a £23 billion cut to the welfare bill, replacing payments to people with low-level mental health conditions with treatment and barring non-citizens from claiming support. If implemented today, around 470,000 people — about 6% of the UK's eight million universal credit claimants — would lose the benefit. The same restrictions would apply to disability benefits and the carer's allowance, while pensions and public services would remain unchanged. EU citizens with settled status would be exempt. Kemi Badenoch delivered an opening speech pledging economic responsibility.

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