Reform UK promises £80bn cuts to public spending

Reform UK, a political party, has announced plans to reduce public spending by £80 billion over the next five years. Their economic spokesman, Robert Jenrick, detailed the cuts during the party's conference in Birmingham. The proposed cuts primarily involve welfare, net zero policies, overseas aid, and the civil service. Jenrick expressed his desire to lower taxes in the first budget if Reform UK were to win power in the next election, but insisted that he must first prove his fiscal responsibility to the markets.

According to the party, the bulk of their proposed cuts come from the £50 billion reduction in welfare spending. Additionally, £10 billion would be saved by cutting net zero programs, £8 billion by reducing the civil service, and £7.1 billion from capping the foreign aid budget. Reform UK claims that their immigration policies, including abolishing indefinite leave to remain, would result in further savings.

The party emphasizes that they aim to make these changes in a careful and responsible manner, warning against reckless cuts that could endanger vital public services such as hospitals, schools, and law enforcement.