Reform UK's Lee Anderson has issued a damning verdict on the UK's welfare system, warning that the benefits bill is 'completely out of control'. In an opinion piece, the party's chairman and welfare spokesman highlighted a 'fundamental unfairness' at the heart of the system, claiming foreign nationals who have never contributed are claiming handouts while hardworking British families fund the growing bill.
Soaring disability benefits and projected costs
Anderson cited figures showing that 6.9 million people claimed disability benefits last year, 2.5 million more than 20 years ago. He projected that by 2031 the cost will hit £110 billion a year, costing every family £3,600. 'Britain is being bled dry,' he wrote, adding that 'business as usual is unsustainable'.
Foreign nationals on Universal Credit and social housing
He claimed that a large share of this money is going to foreign nationals, with the number of non-British citizens on Universal Credit rising from 900,000 in 2022 to 1.3 million today under the Conservatives. He also noted that 12% of net social housing lets in 2024/25 went to foreign nationals instead of homeless people and veterans.
Call for control and protection of vulnerable
Anderson argued that there are 'far too many people in this country swinging the lead' and that the country should not be rewarding those who have never contributed or hold British citizenship. He stressed a 'national duty' to get spending under control, warning of a 'culture of welfare over work' damaging the country.
Drawing on his own experience as a single parent for 17 years, Anderson said he struggled to pay the gas and sold his car to make ends meet, but was able to 'dig myself out through work, not welfare'. He assured that the most vulnerable will be protected, with pensioners covered by the triple lock commitment, and that measures apply only to working-age claimants and migrants.
Anderson concluded that Reform UK stands for 'alarm-clock Britain' and will stop working people seeing more of their wages taken to subsidise those who 'simply can't be bothered'.
