Reform UK pledges £80bn public spending cuts in five years

Reform UK has pledged to cut £80bn of public spending within five years by reducing welfare, net zero policies, overseas aid and the number of civil servants. The party's economic spokesman, Robert Jenrick, made the announcement at its conference in Birmingham. Jenrick said Reform would be the "party of fiscal responsibility" and would aim to cut taxes in its first Budget if it wins power, but only after earning market trust. Labour criticised the proposals as "incredibly reckless," warning they could put hospitals, schools and law enforcement at risk. The bulk of savings would come from a £50bn reduction to the welfare budget. Jenrick referenced former Prime Minister Liz Truss as a cautionary tale, and said the party would retain the pensions triple lock. He has also arranged meetings with government debt investors in London and New York to discuss fiscal rules, amid rising UK borrowing costs.