Reform UK proposes sweeping ban on benefits for foreign nationals

Reform UK has proposed a major overhaul of the UK welfare system that would prevent most foreign nationals from accessing a wide range of benefits if the party comes to power.

The proposal would affect even EU citizens with settled status, potentially requiring Britain to renegotiate parts of its post-Brexit agreement with the European Union.

Reform’s treasury spokesman, Robert Jenrick, said the changes were necessary to make the welfare system fairer and reduce what he described as excessive pressure on British taxpayers.

The party says its welfare reforms could save about £50 billion a year, including an estimated £21 billion from restricting benefits for foreign nationals by the fifth year.

Under the proposal, foreign nationals could be excluded from benefits including Universal Credit, housing support, Pension Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, free childcare and disability payments. Only limited exemptions, such as war widows’ pensions and Armed Forces compensation, would apply.

Reform also wants people who have claimed benefits for more than 12 months and are considered fit to work to complete 20 hours of community work each week. Those who refuse or fail to participate could face sanctions, including reductions in their benefits.

The party estimates that by 2029, about 1.5 million non-British adults could be receiving Universal Credit, while around 215,000 could be receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The proposal has sparked criticism from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens.

Labour accused Reform of potentially dragging Britain into renewed Brexit negotiations and removing support from people who have legally lived and worked in the UK for many years.

The Conservatives said the proposals appeared poorly assembled, while the Liberal Democrats argued that improving the NHS and social care system was essential to reducing welfare spending.

Reform has also proposed replacing the existing PIP system with a new disability assessment and introducing insurance requirements for larger employers to cover workers during the first two years of sickness absence.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies warned that much of the projected savings would depend on a tougher disability assessment, while noting that previous attempts to tighten eligibility had produced smaller savings than expected.

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