Zia Yusuf warns migrant families are the real winners from Labour's benefits bonanza

Migrant families are the “big winners” from Labour’s benefits bonanza, Zia Yusuf has warned.

Nigel Farage’s home affairs spokesman warned that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s decision to lift the two-child benefit cap is a “sick insult to British people”.

He warned that 341,000 households set to benefit from the changes are “foreign-born”.

Mr Yusuf claimed Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Nigerians and Somalians are among those enjoying the welfare splurge.

First introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, the policy restricted child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the cap would be lifted on April 6 when she delivered the budget in November, after months of pressure from Labour backbenchers.

Reform’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, declared: “Labour is boasting today that it has lifted the 2 child benefits cap.

“The big winners are foreign-born households; the big losers are British taxpayers.

“341k households, a third of those with 3 or more children, are foreign-born.

“191k of them came from just 10 countries.

“Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Somalia are at the top of the list, with 125k families from those countries who will now benefit from a big increase in welfare handouts.

“This is a sick insult to British people.”

He added: “Like so much of the British state, it is a brazen wealth transfer from British taxpayers to foreign nationals. Reform will end this.”

The Prime Minister claimed it was one of a number of steps the Government has taken amid an increased focus on cost-of-living pressures caused by the war in Iran.

Sir Keir said: “No matter the global uncertainty, my Government will always be on the side of the British people in bearing down on the cost of living.

“I will never lose sight of how restless people are for change, and I am proud that today we are lifting nearly half a million children out of poverty, boosting support for pensioners, and delivering the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.”

He added: “I know families across the country are concerned about the conflict in Iran and what it means for the cost of living.

“We are working closely with international partners to push for a de-escalation in the Middle East and the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is the most effective way to ease the pressure on the cost of living.

“I am clear that our response to the current global situation will define us for a generation, which is why we are taking the right long-term decisions now to ensure we emerge from this as a stronger, more secure nation.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the decision to scrap the cap meant the Government was favouring benefits claimants over working people.

Mrs Badenoch said: “While working people struggle with rising fuel costs and food prices, Keir Starmer is giving another handout to those on benefits.

“The Conservatives believe in fairness and that those on welfare should have to make the same choices about their family as those who aren’t. That’s why we would reinstate the two-child cap and use the savings to bolster our armed forces.

“In an increasingly dangerous world, we have to prioritise, and my plans will ensure a stronger economy and a stronger country.”