Nigel Farage has announced plans to ban benefits for migrants and scrap indefinite leave to remain if Reform UK wins power. The Reform leader said he would end the right of migrants to apply for permanent residency in the UK after five years and instead force them to renew their visa every five years.
The Clacton MP referred to the numbers of migrants who came to Britain legally when Boris Johnson was prime minister. He said: "Welfare will end for everyone that is not a UK citizen, we will close the loopholes. Reform will ensure that welfare is for UK citizens only.
"We are cleaning up the mess of Boris Johnson. The Boriswave will bankrupt us. Reform will deal with Boriswave, the biggest betrayal of voters' trust in modern times."
A Government spokesperson said: "People here illegally rightly do not get anything from our benefits system. Foreign nationals usually have to wait five years to claim universal credit and we're looking at increasing this to 10 years.
"We inherited a broken welfare system and spiralling benefits bill. That's why we're taking action and reforming the system and have seen the proportion of universal credit payments to foreign nationals fall since last July."
THIS LIVE BLOG HAS NOW CLOSED
You may also like
Jimmy Kimmel show returns: ABC reinstates talk show pulled over Charlie Kirk remarks; 'thoughtful conversations' cited by network
Big Brother's AJ Odudu slams 'disappointing' housemates ahead of new series
Coronation Street villain dies suddenly as fan favourite is issued with warning
England star Hannah Hampton WINS top Ballon d'or prize and pays touching Matt Beard tribute
Jefferies Bullish On Paytm, Hikes Target Price To INR 1,420