Reform UK has unveiled plans to introduce a new flat-rate monthly payment of £429.80 for certain disability benefit claimants, as part of a broader overhaul of the welfare system. The proposal, announced by Robert Jenrick at a press conference on Monday, would replace the current Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a new Personal Independence Payment and Health Security Allowance (PIP/HSA) for those meeting a strict severity threshold.
Seven qualifying groups for the new payment
According to Mr Jenrick, claimants would qualify if they fall into one of seven specific categories: terminal illness, severe permanent physical disability, profound learning disability, severe autism requiring substantial support, serious mental illness, major neurological disease, or significant brain injury. The flat-rate payment would be set at £429.80 per month at 2026/27 rates.
The former Conservative MP and current Reform politician said the changes are necessary to address the rising cost of the welfare system. Reform UK claims that removing disability benefits from millions of people and almost all benefits from foreign nationals would save approximately £50bn in total.
Fairness and contribution as guiding principles
Speaking alongside Richard Tice, Mr Jenrick emphasised the principle of fairness behind the proposals. "I come back to the guiding principle that is behind everything that Richard and I have said today: fairness," he said. "The welfare state throughout its entire history has been about contribution. It was National Insurance Contributions. Beveridge spoke about contribution. That's the principle we want to restore."
He argued that it is not fair that British citizens are paying billions of pounds every year to people who are not British. "One-fifth of Universal Credit claimants are not British. That's crazy. Just imagine what we can do with that money," he added.
Potential renegotiation with the EU
Mr Jenrick also indicated that the plans could involve renegotiating agreements with the European Union. "Now, there's clearly going to be a renegotiation. The deal that was done, I don't believe, was a good deal," he said. "I think many people would support that. There are a number of points on which Reform has already made clear that we will need to return to our neighbours in the EU and renegotiate upon, and this will be one of them."
He expressed confidence that such renegotiation could restore fairness in the process. Without these changes, Mr Jenrick warned that the cost to the welfare system would rise further, potentially leading to what he described as a "genuine national debt crisis."
