Reform UK has reversed its position on the two-child benefit cap and would reinstate the controversial policy if it wins the next general election. Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick announced the U-turn in his first speech in the new role, framing it as necessary for "fiscal discipline" despite the party previously supporting families having more children.
Speaking at an event in the City of London, Jenrick acknowledged the shift: «Reform is changing our policy on the two-child cap for universal credit. The policy was well-meaning. We want to help British working families to have more children. But, right now, we just cannot afford to do so with welfare. So, it has to go.»
The announcement marks a significant policy moment for Reform UK. Jenrick, who served as shadow justice secretary before joining Reform UK from the Conservative Party last month, was named to party leader Nigel Farage's top team on Tuesday alongside former home secretary Suella Braverman.
Sharp criticism from Labour
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the pledge on X as «Shameful», adding: «I'm incredibly proud that this Government has scrapped the cruel two-child limit. Reform wants to push hundreds of thousands of children into poverty.»
Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley escalated the attack, saying Jenrick had «united the right behind a cruel child poverty pact that would see nearly half a million kids pushed into poverty». She contrasted this with Labour's aim of «lifting almost half a million kids out of child poverty» this year.
Broader economic pledges
Jenrick outlined Reform UK's economic approach, committing to tax reform but ruling out unfunded cuts. «We want a simpler, fairer tax system that incentivises work, saving and investment,» he said, promising a review of the tax code on a scale «not seen since the landmark reforms of Nigel Lawson».
He distanced the party from what he characterized as Liz Truss's approach: «We also understand that we can't make tax cuts while running a huge deficit in the vain hope that the Laffer curve alone will do the hard work for us. That is why Nigel drew a line under the previous tax and spending commitments Reform had made.»
Jenrick pledged: «We will never make promises we can't keep to the British people, so we'll only cut taxes when we have generated the fiscal headroom necessary to make those tax cuts sustainable.»
Industrial strategy focus
The Reform UK spokesperson outlined plans to protect strategic national industries including steel, defence and car-making. «Free trade with our friends and allies is advantageous, but we must respond robustly when our rivals consistently cheat the system and leverage dependencies to our disadvantage,» he said.
He emphasized the party's industrial priorities: «Reform do not believe in picking winners, but, yes, we do believe in an industrial strategy to protect our strategic industries like steel, defence and car-making. Because unless we change course now, we will trade a car made in Sunderland for a car made in Shenzhen; the Chinese building their middle class on the backs of ours. And Reform we will never allow that to happen.»
The party also announced plans to reform the Office for Budget Responsibility, maintain the Bank of England's independence, make changes to the Motability scheme, and limit welfare to British nationals only.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
