Jenrick: Reform to restore two-child cap on benefits

• In first major speech as Reform's Shadow Chancellor, Jenrick vows Reform will “defuse the benefits bomb set to bankrupt Britain”
• Two-child benefit cap restored in full
• Spurious mental health claims to be ended; all mental health benefits to require clinical diagnosis
• Jenrick commits to ending “economic and moral disaster” of “broken” benefits system

In his first speech as Reform Shadow Chancellor, Rob Jenrick will commit that Reform “will defuse the benefits bomb set to bankrupt Britain” if the party wins the next election.

He will say:

“Our benefits system is broken. It's an economic and a moral disaster.

That's why I commit to you today, if we win the next election: Reform will defuse the benefits bomb set to bankrupt Britain.

We are developing the most comprehensive plan for welfare reform in British politics, which we will set out in the months ahead.”

1. Two-Child Benefit Cap Restored

Jenrick will commit Reform to re-introducing the two-child benefit cap in full.

He will say: “Today, Reform is changing our policy on the two-child cap for Universal Credit. 

We want to help working families have more children. But right now, we just cannot afford to do so with welfare. So it has to go.  

And, as Reform's Shadow Chancellor, I'm ending it.  A Reform Government will restore the cap in full.”

This will save £3 billion a year in 2029/30 (OBR).  

1. Spurious Level Mental Health Claims removed; Clinical Diagnosis To Be Required

Jenrick will also say that whilst “Reform will always protect the vulnerable. And those who've worked hard but fallen on tough times”, “the number claiming disability benefits for an attention disorder has more than doubled since Covid. We all know a significant number of these claims are spurious.”

Jenrick will commit that a Reform government would remove hundreds of thousands of spurious mental health claims. He will say: “We will stop those with mild anxiety, depression, and similar conditions from claiming disability benefits and instead encourage them into the dignity of work.”

He will commit that all mental health benefits will “require clinical diagnoses to weed out those who are choosing a life on benefits.” There is currently no requirement for a formal diagnosis to receive PIP for a mental health condition.

He will also say Reform will mandate in-person assessments for any sickness or disability benefit to be received.

1. End to Motability Abuse and Migrant Welfare

Jenrick will further say: “We'll make sure only British nationals can claim benefits in the first place.”

And: “We will end the abuse of the Motability scheme, where expensive cars are handed out for conditions like tennis elbow, and paid for by working people who can't afford them themselves.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS

Statistics

• Total number of people claiming PIP: 3,882,571 (DWP StatXplore, Oct 2025)
• Number of people claiming PIP for a psychiatric disorder: 1,503,508 (39% of total claims, StatXplore Oct 2025)
• Number of people claiming PIP for anxiety, mood, obsessive compulsive, and mixed anxiety and depressive disorders: 652,590 (StatXplore, Oct 2025) 
• Average PIP payment: £3,924.70 (breakdown below, DWP PIP Guidance)
• New PIP claims per year: 840,000 (DWP PIP Stats, 2025)
• Share of new claims for psychiatric disorders: 327,600
• Share of new claims for anxiety, mood, obsessive compulsive, and mixed anxiety disorders: 148,156

Current evidential requirements for PIP assessment

• “There is no requirement to have a formal diagnosis” (DWP Assessment Criteria Guide pt.2)
• Claimants can provide personal diary entries as key evidence to support PIP claims, as set out in the ‘How your disability affects you' form (pg21/22)
  • Citizen's Advice provides a diary template for claimants (link)  
• Claimants can provide statements (and diaries) from family members as evidence for their PIP claims (link, pg2)
• Letters from doctors and / or medical professionals must “only include observations, not opinions.” according to DWP guidance (pg2).  

Definition of a diagnosis: The process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms. (National Cancer Institute)