Reform UK has unveiled plans requiring long-term benefit claimants to perform 20 hours of community work weekly or risk losing their payments. The proposal, announced by the party's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick, is part of a welfare overhaul aimed at saving £50 billion a year.
Community work requirement
Under the "welfare to work" policy, claimants who are fit to work would be required to clean up high streets and parks, beautify neglected places, carry out minor repairs, and staff libraries and community centres. Jenrick said the tasks would be drawn from a published list, and local charities and community groups would be invited to participate.
Speaking at a press conference, Jenrick warned that claimants who refuse to participate or fail to show up would face penalties. He said: "Let me speak very plainly. If people who are capable of work refuse, then they'll get nothing. That's fair." He also criticised some claimants for "taking everyone else for mugs".
Welfare overhaul details
Reform has billed the plans as the biggest shake-up of the welfare state in a generation. The party would abolish personal independence payments (Pip) and the health element of Universal Credit for working-age adults, replacing them with a new benefit that is harder to claim.
Foreign nationals, including those from the EU, would also be banned from claiming almost all types of benefits in the UK.
Political reaction
Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride criticised the plans, saying: "Reform continue to flip flop like they did on the two-child benefit cap, and their fantasy numbers are simply not plausible." He added: "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."
