Nigel Farage's plans to block EU nationals from receiving Universal Credit and almost tripling the NHS surcharge paid by non-UK residents would "do even more damage", campaigners have warned.
The Reform UK leader has said he would give EU citizens a three month transitional period before scrapping the payments, regardless of the risk of potential retaliation from the European Union (EU).
But campaigners have stressed that the policy would prompt the UK's post-Brexit trade deal with Europe being torn up, which could have a serious impact on the UK's economy.
Tom Brufatto, policy director of Best for Britain, said:
“Nigel Farage’s plans are clearly designed to jeopardise the progress being made on the UK’s relationship with the EU, the result of which would further impede businesses trading with Europe, and push up prices for voters already struggling with the cost of living.
“He championed Brexit for years, which our polling shows voters know was a failure and has made the country poorer, and now he wants to do even more damage. He claims to be on the side of Britain, but in reality his policies always leave us worse off.”