Robert Jenrick has announced that Reform UK would restore the two-child benefit cap in full, marking a major policy reversal for the party. In his first speech as the party's Treasury spokesperson, Jenrick said the cap would be reinstated, contradicting an earlier pledge by Nigel Farage to scrap the limit. Critics argue the move would push hundreds of thousands of children into poverty.
Jenrick also outlined further welfare restrictions, including reforms to the Motability scheme to "end abuse" and limiting benefits to British nationals only. He said people claiming benefits for "mild anxiety, depression, and similar conditions" would be stopped, requiring a clinical diagnosis for mental health issues to "weed out those who are choosing a life on benefits."
In a softening of the party's stance on financial institutions, Jenrick confirmed the independence of the Bank of England would remain and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) would not be abolished. This appears at odds with previous comments by Farage, who has called for greater political influence over the central bank and considered scrapping the OBR.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the announcement on social media, calling it "shameful" and accusing Reform of wanting to push children into poverty. Farage defended the U-turn, saying his earlier attempt to lift the cap for working families had "failed" and led to him being labelled a socialist.
