Robert Jenrick has stepped back from Reform UK’s previous commitment to slash taxes by £90 billion, instead promising a “fully costed” plan during his first major speech since being unveiled as the party’s Shadow Chancellor.
The Newark MP delivered the keynote address in the City of London yesterday, outlining a departure from earlier Reform UK fiscal pledges. Jenrick acknowledged the party cannot pursue aggressive tax reduction whilst running a substantial deficit.
“We also understand that we can’t make tax cuts while running a huge deficit in the vain hope that the Laffer curve alone will do the hard work for us,” the former Conservative MP stated.
Jenrick pledged to conduct a comprehensive review of Britain’s tax code on a scale not witnessed since Nigel Lawson’s landmark reforms during the Thatcher era. The review aims to create what he described as a simpler, fairer system incentivising work, saving and investment.
“We want a simpler, fairer tax system that incentivises work, saving and investment. That means fixing the absurd marginal tax rates many face today,” Jenrick stated. “So we intend to review the tax code in a programme not seen since the landmark reforms of Nigel Lawson.”
On welfare policy, Jenrick confirmed Reform UK has abandoned previous calls to scrap the two-child benefit cap, doubling down on party leader Nigel Farage’s U-turn earlier this month. Instead, the Shadow Chancellor outlined what he characterised as the most comprehensive welfare reform plan in British politics.
“Reform will defuse the benefits bomb set to bankrupt Britain,” Jenrick declared. The forthcoming plan, to be detailed in coming months, includes several controversial proposals targeting disability benefit claimants and eligibility criteria.
Jenrick stated Reform UK will stop those with mild anxiety, depression and similar conditions from claiming disability benefits, instead encouraging them into work. The party plans to reinstate in-person assessments and require clinical diagnoses “to weed out those who are choosing a life on benefits.”
The Shadow Chancellor also pledged to end what he described as abuse of the Motability scheme, citing examples of expensive cars being provided for conditions like tennis elbow. “Paid for by working people who can’t afford those cars themselves,” he added.
Reform UK intends to restrict benefit eligibility to British nationals only under the proposed welfare overhaul. “We’ll make sure only British nationals can claim benefits in the first place,” Jenrick stated.
The shift from the £90 billion tax cut pledge to a fully costed approach represents a significant strategic pivot for Reform UK as the party attempts to position itself as a credible alternative government. The departure from headline-grabbing fiscal promises towards more measured commitments suggests an effort to build mainstream electoral appeal.
The comprehensive welfare reform plan will be published in coming months ahead of the next general election. The tax code review, if implemented following electoral success, would represent the most significant overhaul of Britain’s taxation system since the 1980s.
Jenrick’s appointment as Shadow Chancellor and the policy shifts announced in his City of London speech indicate Reform UK’s evolving approach to economic policy as the party seeks to expand beyond its core voter base.
