Britain is facing an “existential crisis” over its future, Reform UK’s chairman has claimed.
Today, it was revealed Nigel Farage intends to challenge Sir Keir Starmer by pledging to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
Although the Prime Minister is said to be open to ending the two-child cap, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly reluctant to make an immediate announcement until funding can be identified.
The two-child cap, which was introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, limits benefits for families with more than two children.
Nigel Farage has pledged to scrap the two-child benefit cap
PA
However, Reform Chairman Zia Yusuf has claimed Britain faces an “existential crisis” due to the collapsing birth rate in the UK.
He continued by explaining that axing the cap would be just the first step in encouraging British people to have more kids and undo the birth rate collapse.
Yusuf wrote on X: “The collapsing birth rate in the UK - now well below replacement rates - is an existential crisis for our country.
“The Tories and Labour have sought to solve it with open borders.
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ONS data shows total fertility rate in England and Wales has fallen to its lowest level since WW2
ONS
“Reform wants to end all that.
“A Reform Government will cut net immigration to zero and do everything in its power to encourage British people who are fertile and want kids to have them.
“Scrapping the two-child cap is just the start.
“Nigel Farage is the only leader serious about tackling the biggest problems, regardless of what polls say.
“British people know this. That’s why he’s leading in the polls.”
Zia Yusuf suggested 'scrapping the two-child cap is just the start'
PA
Yusuf has previously indicated Reform would fund these policies by cutting the foreign aid budget, closing asylum hotels and ending net-zero subsidies.
A Reform source said: “We're against the two-child cap and we'd go further on winter fuel by bringing the payment back for everyone. That's already outflanking Labour.”
Nigel Farage has also previously advocated for welfare and taxation systems that encourage families to have more children.
Yusuf’s comments come after last year it was revealed the total fertility rate across England and Wales dropped to a new record low.
Data by the Office for National Statistics revealed live births fell to the lowest in nearly five decades.
According to the non-ministerial department, fertility rates across the two nations have been in overall decline since 2010.
The rate fell to 1.44 children per woman in 2023, which the Office for National Statistics said is the lowest value since records began in 1938.
Some experts have suggested influencing factors could include economic uncertainty with the cost-of-living crisis, and difficulties finding a partner – as well as more people deciding not to have children.
