NIGEL Farage will today pledge to rip up the welfare system so that only British citizens can claim benefits.
The Reform UK leader will vow to change laws on elibility, as well as “closing every loophole”.
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It comes after party analysis of official figures showed foreign nationals claimed £9billion of £52billion shelled out in Universal Credit last year — almost a sixth.
Reform’s move goes further than the Tories’ pledge to bar foreigners from claiming disability benefits and is in sharp contrast to Labour, which reversed a planned crackdown after a back bench revolt.
Mr Farage will declare the move is vital following the influx of non-EU immigration — dubbed the Boriswave — enabled under then-PM Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit regime.
At a press conference and unveiling of a policy document, he will state: “Welfare will end for everyone who is not a UK citizen, we will close the loopholes.
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“Reform will ensure that welfare is for UK citizens only.
“We are cleaning up the mess of Boris Johnson or the Boriswave will bankrupt us.
“Reform will deal with Boris-wave — the biggest betrayal of voters trust in modern times.”
Mr Farage will also vow to eject hundreds of thousands of legal migrants, forcing all those with permanent residency to reapply for visas under tougher rules.
Indefinite leave to remain would be scrapped within 100 days of a Reform government, with migrants made to meet stricter salary and English tests, wait seven years for a passport, and face bans if they have claimed benefits or spent long periods abroad.
Reform says the shake-up would save more than £230billion, warning the so-called “Boriswave” of 3.8 million arrivals since Brexit is a looming financial disaster when 800,000 become eligible to claim benefits next year.
Reform insiders say action is essential as “Britain is going broke” after taxpayers paid £266billion for welfare in 2024.
But a Government spokesman said people here illegally “get nothing from the benefits system” while foreign nationals usually have to wait five years to claim Universal Credit.
He added: “We inherited a broken welfare system and spiralling benefits bill.
“That’s why we’re taking action and reforming the system.”
