Reform under fire over welfare plans

REFORM UK has defended its use of disputed figures to claim billions of pounds would be saved by its immigration and welfare plans, as it emerged European Union citizens would still have access to benefits in Britain.

- HARRY TAYLOR & NINA LLOYD Press Association

The party has said it would axe the right of migrants to apply for indefinite leave to remain, ban anyone who is not a UK citizen from claiming benefits, and force those applying for UK citizenship to renounce other citizenship.

However, it is facing questions over its claim that the plans could save £234 billion, after the think tank that produced the estimate said it should no longer be used and Nigel Farage confirmed there would be a carve-out for EU citizens with settled status.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the figures show Reform’s plans “have no basis in reality’, while Labour chairwoman Anna Turley said Mr Farage was “unable to say how many families his policy would break up” The Tories called the plans “half-baked and unworkable”.