Tory Welfare Crackdown Would Ban Benefit Spending on Booze and Cigarettes
The party says 350,000 claimants could move to a 70% allowance on a pre-paid card, saving taxpayers £538 million a year.
- Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch proposed a new "Subsistence Allowance" worth 70% of full Universal Credit payments, with funds loaded onto a "back to work" card blocking alcohol, cigarette, and gambling purchases.
- Facing a forecast £408.6bn welfare bill by 2030/31, the Conservatives estimate moving 350,000 claimants to the lower rate would save taxpayers £538 million annually.
- Claimants receive six months of full benefits while seeking work; after that, eligibility depends on employment history. Badenoch confirmed disabled individuals, those off sick, and people already in work remain exempt.
- Helen Barnard, director of policy at the charity Trussell, labeled the proposals "deeply misguided," while Reform UK's Robert Jenrick called the plan "weak" and a Labour Party spokesperson termed the scheme "unworkable."
- Further welfare policy details are expected at the Conservative party conference opening in Birmingham on October 4, while the Labour government is introducing a £3.5 billion employment support package to help people return to work.
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12 Articles
Long-term benefits claims could be coupled from buying alcohol and cigarettes under Tory plans
Benefits claimants to be banned from spending your money on alcohol under Tory plans
Benefits claimants will be banned from spending taxpayer cash on alcohol, gambling and cigarettes under plans unveiled by Kemi Badenoch. Announcing the proposals, the Tory leader vowed to crack down on those who "exploit" Britain's generous benefits system. Ms Badenoch's plans will see those who have been long-term unemployed have their benefits slashed by a third, with cash payments being swapped with “back-to-work cards”. The pre-paid cards wi…
Tory welfare crackdown would ban benefit spending on booze and cigarettes
Scores of benefit claimants would receive their welfare payments on a ‘Back To Work’ card that bans spending on alcohol, cigarettes or betting under plans announced by the Conservatives. Under a new crackdown on the welfare system, unemployed people on benefits will see their payments fall by 30 per cent. Those who are on Universal [...]
Tory benefits plan and booze ban explained: who could lose 30% of Universal Credit?
Some Universal Credit claimants could be blocked from spending benefits on alcohol, cigarettes and gambling under new Conservative plans. Here’s who could be affected and how the proposed card would work.
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