Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is facing intense criticism after announcing a controversial plan to prevent citizens from European Union countries from claiming benefits in the UK.
Backlash Over 'Second Class Citizens' Fears
The proposal, which would ban EU nationals from accessing welfare payments such as Universal Credit, has been branded as plotting to create millions of 'second class citizens'. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak was unequivocal in his condemnation, telling The Mirror that the plan is 'plain wrong'.
He argued that workers from the EU who have lived and worked in Britain for years, paying their taxes like everyone else, deserve equal treatment and should not be demoted in such a manner.
Economic Warnings and Wider Policy Pledges
Critics have issued stark warnings about the potential economic fallout. They suggest that such a move could spark a trade war with the EU, Britain's closest trading partner, leading to rising prices on supermarket shelves for consumers already grappling with the cost of living.
When challenged on the fairness of his proposal, Mr Farage conceded that 'for some people there will be short term concerns'. He defended the policy by stating that the current model is unsustainable and that the high number of working-age people not working must be addressed.
In a related pledge, the Reform UK leader also announced plans to significantly increase the NHS surcharge for foreigners from the current £1,035 to £2,718 per year.
Doubts Over Brexit Renegotiation
Implementing these changes would require renegotiating the Brexit deal agreed by the Conservative government. However, Mr Farage was unclear on what the UK would offer the EU in return for such alterations. When pressed by The Mirror on whether he had approached Brussels, he admitted, 'No, I'm not terribly popular in Brussels most of the time.'
Tom Brufatto, policy director at the pro-EU group Best for Britain, accused Mr Farage of trying to jeopardise the UK's improving relationship with the EU. He stated this would further impede business and push up prices, leaving the country worse off.
The criticism was bipartisan, with Labour MP Luke Charters dismissing the notion of a quick renegotiation as 'total muppetry', highlighting the gap between the promises of the Brexit campaign and the reality of complex international diplomacy.
