UAE DigitalReform UK is promising to increase the tax-free personal allowance to £15,000, if it wins the next general election. Robert Jenrick, the party's economic spokesman, has pledged to introduce the tax cut within the first 100 days if he becomes chancellor, saying it would provide 'money that people really need right now'. This is seen as the flagship policy announcement of its conference and potentially their biggest tax policy since now until the general election.
Regarding recent controversies, Jenrick addressed investigations into two senior Reform aides by the party following a Channel 4 News undercover broadcast. He stated Nigel Farage had acted swiftly and the aides had been suspended. Undercover filming by Verbatim Investigations revealed senior Reform figures suggesting ways to circumvent electoral law to accept foreign donations, one of which could total £500,000. Farage denied wrongdoing, stating the party had taken 'no illegal money'. Jenrick confirmed the party had legal advice and believed they had not violated electoral laws. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have reported the party to the Metropolitan Police, and the Electoral Commission is reviewing the matter.
On tax measures, Reform estimates increasing the tax-free threshold by £2,430 would save most taxpayers £500 annually, with 2.9 million people avoiding income tax entirely. The policy would cost £17.7 billion in the first year, rising to £21 billion by the fifth year, funded by £80 billion in public spending cuts. Jenrick claims the cuts would target welfare spending, excluding state pensions, and focus on reducing benefits for non-British citizens and mental health support reintegration into employment.
Reform also plans to cut net-zero programmes, raising £10 billion, and reduce civil servants and foreign aid budgets to £7.1 billion, totaling £18 billion in revenue. The policy is expected to be announced in Jenrick's conference speech, with his goal of making Britain a better place for workers. He highlights that 1.3 million people were forced into tax last year due to the frozen allowance at £12,500 since 2021, with Labour freezing it until 2031. This freeze impacts state pensions and costs full-time minimum-wage workers over £750 annually. Jenrick reiterates his long-term aim of lifting the threshold to £20,000.
Source: bbc.co.uk
