Nigel Farage accused of planning to plunge half 1,000,000 youngsters into poverty with pubs pledge
The Reform UK leader announced a £3 billion support package for pubs, but is funded by restoring the two-child benefit cap, which is expected to lift 450,000 children out of poverty
Nigel Farage was accused of choosing to put half a million children into poverty(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Nigel Farage has been accused of choosing to plunge half a million children into poverty after unveiling plans to slash a vital benefit to fund 5p off a pint.
The Reform UK leader announced a £3 billion support package for pubs, funded by restoring the two-child benefit cap. The plans would see VAT reduced to 10% for the hospitality sector, the employer national insurance increase for hospitality businesses scrapped, beer duty cut by 10%, new staggered business rate abolition for pubs and fresh regulation to support landlords.
It is estimated that lifting the two-child limit, which was introduced by the Tories in 2017, will lift 450,000 children out of poverty by 2029. Responding to the announcement, Stephen Timms MP, Labour’s Social Security Minister, said: “Politics is about choices. Nigel Farage’s choice is to join with the Tories and plunge half a million children back into poverty.
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“We are investing in the next generation, to allow them to fulfil their potential; and tackling the cost of living with an average £150 off energy bills, freezing rail fares and prescription charges, and rolling out free breakfast clubs to support families.”
Connor Naismith, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, tweeted: “The cost of 5p off a pint for Reform UK? Plunging half a million kids (and counting) into poverty.”
Another Labour MP, and former Resolution Foundation think tank boss, Torsten Bell, added: “Couldn’t make this up. Farage: WAS calling for the two child limit to be scrapped. NOW calling for the two child limit to be reinstated. Reform aren’t just importing failed Tory politicians. They’re importing failed Tory policies.”
Speaking at the press conference, Mr Farage said the hospitality sector was “on the edge of falling off a cliff”. He said: “What is happening to our pubs, what is happening to our hospitality sector, is little short of a disaster. They’re on the edge of falling off a cliff. It’s serious. It’s very, very serious.”
Last month the Government unveiled a 15% cut in new business rate bills to boost pubs under a major government support package. Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson said the measure will apply from April while bills for boozers will also see a real-terms freeze for a further two years.
