Brits will get support they need under Reform welfare plans, says MP
East Wiltshire's MP says the proposals will save millions
Wiltshire's only Reform UK MP says reducing the welfare bill by removing foreign nationals from eligibility would ensure British citizens can get the help and support they need.
Danny Kruger for East Wiltshire says current spending levels are "totally unsustainable" and the party would aim to cut that should they gain power in the next election.
"We're spending hundreds of billions of pounds on welfare, 100 billion just on health and disability benefits. That's 3,000 pounds per family just for other people's health and disability benefits," the Amesbury and Marlborough representative said. "Many of those people need it. In fact, they probably need better support and we want to ensure they get it."
He claims there is "clearly a problem with the rise in welfare payments" and that some of the issue is related to what he said is £21 billion being spent on supporting foreign nationals "that we shouldn't be spending".
"If you are making this country your home, you're making a contribution, that's great, but you shouldn't be receiving welfare from the British taxpayer unless you are a citizen yourself and we would encourage people to apply to be citizens if they want to have the benefit of the welfare state," Mr Kruger said.
He believes that there is a million foreign nationals claiming universal credit and a quarter of a million on PIP (Personal Independence Payments). He said that over the last four year, supporting people from other nations has cost £55 billion.
Mr Kruger admitted that by removing support for foreign nationals in the UK, he would expect other nations to follow suit by withdrawing local support for British people in their country.
However, he said that in Reform's plans, they've set aside money to ensure that those people are supported by tax payers in Britain.
An interim review of the disability benefits system, published earlier this year by Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms, found the system is not fit for purpose and needs an overhaul. The full report is due out later this year.