Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride has outlined plans to cut £47bn annually from public spending, including £23bn from welfare, by restricting benefits to UK citizens only. Under the proposals, overseas nationals, even those with indefinite leave to remain who have lived and paid taxes in the UK for decades, would be denied access to most benefits, except pensions and EU settled status holders.
When asked by the BBC about options for foreign nationals who might face financial hardship, Stride suggested they could return to their home countries. He stated, 'If they've come from other parts of the world, they would have an option to return to those other parts.' He emphasised that UK citizenship should 'mean something' and that the benefits system should primarily serve UK citizens.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately also spoke at the Conservative Party conference, claiming that large numbers of people were using sickness benefits as a 'lifestyle choice.' She alleged that millions were 'sitting on the sofa at home' and obtaining benefits for anxiety and ADHD with minimal effort, citing TikTok videos as a source of guidance.
The broader spending cuts include £8bn from reducing 130,000 civil service jobs and £7bn from slashing overseas aid to 0.1% of GDP, below Labour's current 0.3%. Additional savings would come from ending 'costly and ineffective green subsidies.' Stride argued that the Conservatives are the only party committed to fiscal responsibility, stating, 'The country is living beyond its means.'
