The UK Conservative Party is proposing changes to welfare benefits that would limit the ability of long-term recipients to buy alcohol and cigarettes. According to several reports, the plan would give around 350,000 benefit claimants a pre-loaded card for their payments, which would not allow cash withdrawals, betting, or the purchase of alcohol or cigarettes. The goal of the proposal is to encourage people to move into work by linking the full rate of benefits to a record of employment and tax contributions. Under the plan, individuals claiming Universal Credit (UC), a major welfare program, would receive full payments for six months if they are actively seeking work. After that time, those who haven’t contributed to the welfare system through taxes over the years would see their benefits reduced. Only those with a sustained history of working and paying taxes would be eligible for the full UC rate. For every two years of work, claimants would gain an additional year of full-rate benefits. Jobseekers without a work history would have their UC payments reduced by a third, resulting in a new “subsistence allowance” paid onto a restricted pre-paid card. This card would be usable only for food, essential items, and paying bills. People who are off work due to illness, disability, or those already working while claiming UC would be exempt from these restrictions. The Conservatives claim the proposed changes could save taxpayers £538 million each year. Kemi Badenoch, a senior party leader, argued that the current system disadvantages workers, as some benefit claimants earn more from welfare than from employment. She emphasized that the aim is to help people find work, not to punish them, and that the best form of welfare is a well-paid job. Helen Whately, the Labour Party’s shadow work and pensions secretary, said the UK cannot afford to have millions relying on benefits instead of working. More details on the welfare reforms are expected to be announced at the upcoming Conservative conference. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated that his government will revisit welfare system changes. A Labour spokesperson criticized the Conservatives for not delivering meaningful reforms during their time in power and called the new card system impractical. The spokesperson added that the taxpayer bill increased by £33 billion during the Conservatives’ last year in government, while the Labour government is introducing sustainable reforms and a £3.5 billion employment support package.