Nigel Farage has unveiled a £2.1billion pledge to raise the VAT threshold for small businesses from £90,000 to £150,000 as Reform UK attempts to boost support ahead of the Makerfield by-election.
The Reform UK leader announced the proposal during a press conference in the constituency on Wednesday, describing the measure as a "fair deal for the white van man".
The policy would increase the turnover threshold at which small businesses are required to register for VAT.
Under current rules, firms generating more than £90,000 in annual turnover must register to pay VAT on the goods and services they sell.
Reform UK argued the existing threshold discourages some self-employed workers and small business owners from taking on additional work.
Addressing reporters, Mr Farage said: "To working Britain our message is simple — employed or self-employed, we are on your side."
The announcement was not accompanied by detailed funding plans, although Reform UK is expected to argue the measure could be financed through reductions in welfare spending.
However, the Conservatives criticised the proposal, describing it as a "fantasy promise".
The press conference was also dominated by questions surrounding historical social media comments made by Reform UK’s Makerfield candidate Robert Kenyon.
'Fair deal for white van man': Farage unveils £2.1bn VAT pledge as Reform candidate faces backlash
|GETTY
One resurfaced post involved graphic sexual language directed at television presenter Carol Vorderman.
She has since demanded an apology from Mr Kenyon, but Reform's leader dismissed the controversy and defended his candidate during the event.
He described the posts as "a few laddish things" and argued the comments had been taken "wildly out of context".
Mr Farage said: "They're the sort of comments that you won't necessarily get if you're an Oxford-educated career politician living in a nice postcode in London.
"But I tell you what, they are the kind of comments you'll hear in every pub in the country every evening, and we should be unapologetic that Rob is an ordinary bloke who’s carved quite a career for himself, had the guts to set up a business, served as an army reservist, is a patriot, likes his rugby, likes the odd pint, and said a few laddish things on social media 10 years ago."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Ms Vorderman has demanded an apology from the Makerfield candidate
|GETTY
He added: "Do you know what I'd say to that? I'd say, so what?"
Mr Farage was also asked whether the controversy risked damaging Reform UK’s support among female voters.
In response, he suggested issues surrounding crime and public safety were particularly important to women.
He said: "Whatever attempted smears they're going to make against my friend Rob over here, the truth of it is that it's women, and particularly mothers and grandmothers, that are the most concerned about the safety of their kids and grandkids on the streets of this country."
Mr Farage continued: "Law and order, safety on the streets, feeling their kids can go to concerts on Saturday nights and get home safely. I think these are bigger female issues than they are male issues."
The Makerfield contest has attracted national attention because of Andy Burnham’s attempt to return to Westminster as he positions himself as a potential future Labour leader.
Polling and campaign analysis have suggested the right-leaning vote in the constituency may be split between Reform UK and Restore, the party led by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe.
Mr Farage also used Wednesday’s appearance to urge voters not to back Restore in the by-election.