Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced a pledge of tens of billions of pounds in tax cuts aimed at assisting "working people" and stimulating the economy. The announcement came as two of his close aides were suspended following allegations concerning the party's funding.
Farage stated that his party would present a "radical" package of tax cuts on Saturday, designed to alleviate the cost of living crisis and boost economic activity. According to a Treasury spokesman, Robert Jenrick, plans include slashing £80 billion from public spending, with a significant portion derived from the benefits budget. Some of these savings are intended to reduce the UK's deficit and government borrowing costs, which have exceeded £100 billion annually.
Reform sources indicated that a substantial part of the savings would be directed towards reducing the UK's tax burden, with a particular focus on supporting lower and middle-income earners and small businesses. Farage hinted at potential measures such as increasing the income tax threshold, which is currently set at £12,570 and frozen for nearly a decade.
Farage's speech at Reform's annual conference in Birmingham was disrupted by security alerts and protesters. A Greenpeace banner was activated on stage during a previous speech, prompting a security search. Protesters also interrupted his address. Farage characterized the controversy surrounding his party's funding as a "little local difficulty" and part of a coordinated effort by the "Establishment" to undermine Reform UK. He asserted that he would not be distracted and predicted his party could win the next election, which he anticipates will occur next year.
He outlined Reform's potential first 100 days in power, including policies to stop illegal immigration and reduce energy bills by dismantling Net Zero levies. The party also plans to propose measures to increase medical training to decrease reliance on foreign doctors and nurses.
Farage issued a warning to civil servants, the judiciary, and the House of Lords, urging them not to obstruct his party's legislative agenda. He suggested that Parliament might need to sit extended hours to pass necessary legislation and proposed appointing hundreds of new peers to secure a majority in the House of Lords, or holding a referendum on its composition if necessary.
The Reform leader criticized the Conservative Party for its handling of immigration post-Brexit and contended that the Labour Party would lead to economic ruin and fail to address illegal immigration. He also mentioned that he has been contemplating his political future due to a series of security incidents and funding scandals, though he is not planning to leave politics.
The two suspended aides, Reform's head of policy James Orr and long-serving aide Dan Jukes, were reportedly secretly filmed discussing an arrangement potentially involving foreign donations for polls commissioned by the party. Rival parties have also called for an investigation into separate allegations that the aides discussed securing a large donation from a supposed American businessman through an undercover reporter, a plan that appeared to circumvent the ban on foreign donations. Reform insists it has acted appropriately, but the allegations raise further questions. Farage stated he had no prior knowledge of any impropriety, recalling that he asked if the arrangement was legal and above board when meeting the individuals. He described Jukes's actions as "problematic loose pub talk."
Foreign companies are legally prohibited from funding political parties in the UK, and accepting such donations could be an offense. Jukes has denied wrongdoing and stepped back from politics to clear his name. Reform UK has launched its own investigation into the matter.