Reform UK would restore the two-child benefit cap in full, the party’s Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick has announced, marking a major policy reversal. In a speech in the City of London, Jenrick said the party could no longer afford to scrap the limit, a move that critics warned would push hundreds of thousands of children into poverty.
Jenrick also announced cuts to disability benefits, including reforming the Motability scheme to end alleged abuse where “expensive cars are handed out for conditions like tennis elbow”. He said only British nationals would be eligible for benefits, and that people claiming for “mild anxiety, depression, and similar conditions” would be stopped unless they had a clinical diagnosis.
The U-turn contrasts with previous statements from party leader Nigel Farage, who last year said he would scrap the two-child limit and wanted to encourage more children. Farage acknowledged his pro-family stance had “failed” and led to him being labelled a socialist.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the move “shameful”, saying Reform wanted to push hundreds of thousands of children into poverty. Jenrick countered that the party wanted to help working families but could not do so by increasing benefits.
On financial policy, Jenrick softened Reform’s stance, saying the Bank of England would remain independent and the Office for Budget Responsibility would not be abolished. This appeared to contradict Farage’s previous calls for greater political influence over the Bank and his consideration of scrapping the OBR.
