"At a press conference to unveil Reform's plans, policy chief Zia Yusuf argued the party's blueprint would lessen the need for tax hikes by making foreign nationals "bear the brunt" before British citizens were asked to "make sacrifices"."
"The Brexit withdrawal deal signed by Boris Johnson in 2020 enabled EU citizens living in the UK before the end of a transition exit period to keep their rights to claim benefits. This group made up 9.7% of those claiming universal credit in June 2025, according to provisional government statistics published for the first time in July. Yusuf said if Reform won the next election, due by 2029, it would stop benefit payments to all foreign nationals after a "reasonable" three month notice period."
"The party estimates restricting universal credit to British citizens only would save 6.4bn this year, rising to 10bn by the end of the decade. A document on the plans circulated to journalists argued the Brexit treaty had been "one-sided", as there were more Europeans claiming benefits in the UK compared to British citizens on the continent."
Reform UK proposes stripping EU and other foreign nationals of rights to claim benefits and renegotiating the 2020 Brexit withdrawal agreement to enable that change. The party plans to cut government spending by 20bn a year, reduce foreign aid to a minimum, and nearly triple the annual fee paid by visa applicants to use the NHS. The plans would restrict universal credit to British citizens only, estimated to save 6.4bn this year and rise to 10bn by the end of the decade. Provisional statistics show non-British claimants comprised 9.7% of universal credit recipients in June 2025. The proposals precede an expected Budget that may include tax increases.
Read at www.bbc.com
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