Reform UK Announces Major Policy Reversal on Child Benefits
In a significant policy shift, Reform UK has declared it will restore the controversial two-child benefits cap if the party wins the next general election. The announcement was made by Robert Jenrick, the party's newly appointed Treasury spokesman, during his first formal speech in the role.
Jenrick Brands Benefits System 'Economic and Moral Disaster'
Jenrick, who previously served as Conservative shadow justice secretary, delivered a scathing critique of Britain's welfare system, describing it as an "economic and moral disaster." He promised that Reform UK would "defuse the benefits bomb set to bankrupt Britain" through decisive policy changes.
The former Tory leadership hopeful confirmed a complete reversal of Reform UK's previous position on the benefits cap, which restricts parents from claiming child benefits for more than two children. Just last year, the party had supported abolishing the cap before Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced its removal in the Autumn Budget.
Policy U-Turn Justified by Fiscal Constraints
"Today, Reform is changing our policy on the two-child cap for Universal Credit," Jenrick stated. "We want to help working families have more children. But right now, we just cannot afford to do so with welfare. So it has to go."
He added emphatically: "As Reform's shadow chancellor, I'm ending it. A Reform government will restore the cap in full."
Shadow Cabinet Unveiled with Key Appointments
The policy announcement came just one day after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveiled the party's shadow cabinet. Jenrick was confirmed as Treasury spokesman during this event, where he vowed to "oppose the wrecking ball that is Rachel Reeves" and promised to develop a "constructive plan" to fix the UK economy.
Other key appointments included deputy leader Richard Tice as business and energy spokesman, who controversially branded the transition away from fossil fuels "net stupid zero." Policy chief Zia Yusuf was handed the home affairs brief, where he will spearhead the party's signature small boats campaign.
Commitment to Independent Economic Institutions
In a wide-ranging speech that addressed multiple economic policy areas, Jenrick confirmed that Reform UK would maintain the independence of both the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and the Bank of England.
"Under Reform, the Bank of England will remain independent," he declared. "Our interest will always be keeping inflation low because that is how we will keep people's bills down. So we will strip the Bank of distractions which have been loaded onto it. That includes the requirement for the Bank to help the transition to Net Zero."
Reform Rather Than Abolish Fiscal Watchdog
This position represents another policy clarification for Reform UK. Just last month, party leader Nigel Farage had suggested he was giving "serious thought" to abolishing the OBR, claiming it was "dictating to elected politicians" and left ministers "beholden to it, rather than doing their own thinking."
Jenrick offered a more nuanced approach, stating: "The OBR is far from perfect. But the impetus for its creation was a desire to instill fiscal discipline, and that is something we wholeheartedly endorse." He confirmed the party would maintain but "reform" the Treasury quango rather than abolish it entirely.
The announcements mark a significant moment for Reform UK as the party positions itself for the next election with a clear economic platform that includes both continuity and change from current government policies.
