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
Donald Trump Florida assassination case: Man accused of trying to kill US President rests case without testifying; closing arguments set for Tuesday
Two dead, 12 injured after building collapses in Indore
Don't use public money to construct statues: SC
'True to the historic commitment': France recognises Palestinian state at UN; Macron links step to 'peaceful future for Israel'
Prevent brown leaf tips on peace lilies with this simple autumn care trick