Reform UK's Treasury Spokesperson Robert Jenrick has warned that Britain's benefits bill is pushing the country to 'breaking point' and threatens to bankrupt the nation, forcing taxes even higher. He criticised new Chancellor John Healey for having a track record of opposing welfare cuts.
Jenrick's warning on benefits spending
Mr Jenrick, chosen by Nigel Farage to serve as Chancellor in a future Reform government, pledged action to cut benefits spending and allow taxes to be brought down. He said the country is at 'breaking point' and that without fixing the problem, the benefits bill will bankrupt Britain.
The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts welfare spending will hit £407billion in 2030-31, up from £353billion in 2026-27, driven mainly by pensioner and health-related benefits.
Reform UK's proposals
Reform UK wants to bring back the two-child benefit cap as part of a package of measures designed to deliver £45billion in savings. The party insists that Prime Minister Andy Burnham should call a general election if he wants to raise taxes.
Healey's record
John Healey was appointed Chancellor by Andy Burnham, a surprise choice over Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Healey previously served as a skills minister and Treasury minister under Tony Blair, but in opposition he attacked benefits cuts. In 2010, he linked the 'wage squeeze' to cuts in services, tax credits and benefits. In 2015, he blasted cuts to benefits and tax credits to fund millionaires' tax cuts, and the following year opposed 'crude cuts' to housing benefit.
Mr Jenrick told the Express: 'John Healey is another establishment politician that has spent his career supporting more welfare spending. The country is now at breaking point. Unless this problem is fixed, the benefits bill is set to bankrupt Britain and force taxes even higher. Reform UK will restore fairness to our benefits system by reinstating in-person assessments and the two child benefit cap, so we can lower taxes on hard-pressed families. We will fight Burnham’s coming tax assault every step of the day. If he wants to raise taxes even higher, he should call a general election and see what the British people make of it.'
A Treasury spokesperson responded: 'So far this week the Chancellor has cut tax on electricity bills and cut business rates on pubs; paid for by changing where taxpayer money will be spent, including scrapping digital ID and using funds from the department for energy and net zero. This is the way to build a new economy.'
