Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced a plan to eliminate income tax on overtime for workers earning less than £75,000 a year, positioning the policy as a lifeline for families struggling to make ends meet. The proposal, unveield ahead of a by‑election in a traditionally Labour‑dominant constituency, has drawn both applause from right‑leaning voters and sharp rebuke from opponents who warn of fiscal impracticalities and hidden benefits for higher earners.

Overtime tax abolition targets earners under £75,000

Farage's pledge specifically removes the 20% income‑tax band on overtime pay for anyone whose annual salary falls below the £75,000 threshold. He argues that the change will reward "hard‑working individuals" and help families avoid month‑end shortfalls. The policy mirrors a populist playbook, echoing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s focus on tax relief for the middle class, and is meant to cement Reform UK as the "true party of the workers" in Britain.

Survation poll shows Reform closing in on Labour at 40%

According to a Survation poll of the constituency , Labour currently leads with 43% support, while Reform UK trails closely at 40%. The poll also lists the Reform candidate, Councillor Rob Kenyon – a self‑employed plumber and former Army reservist – at 7% under the breakaway Restore Britain banner, with the Liberal Democrats at 4%, the Greens at 3%, and the Conservatives lagging at just 2%. Farage has framed the contest as a "two‑horse race" and claimed Kenyon is the only contender who can stop Labour leader Andy Burnham.

Critics warn the tax cut could fuel public‑service cuts

Opponents argue the overtime tax removal is fiscally untenable and may force the government to slash public services or foreign aid to offset lost revenue . Some analysts suggeest the measure could disproportionately benefit higher‑earning overtime workers,effectively favouring the wealthy under the guise of helping the working class.. As the Reform platform also includes proposals to roll back the green agenda and end welfare for migrants, the broader fiscal impact remains uncertain .

Potential Labour leadership shake‑up if Reform wins

Should Reform UK pull off an upset in the by‑election, it would signal a major setback for Labour in the so‑called "Red Wall" – regions that voted heavily for Brexit and have traditionally backed the party. Even a narrow loss could trigger a leadership contest within Labour, raising speculation that Prime Minister Keir Starmer might face a challenge to his position. The stakes are high, as the outcome could reshape the political calculus ahead of the next general election.

Who will fund the promised "billions" from waste‑cutting?

The Reform manifesto claims it will raise billions by cutting "wasteful spending," yet details on which programmes will be trimmed remain vague. farage has hinted at slashing foreign aid and scaling back green initiatives, but no concrete budgetary figures have been released. As the party seeks to rally right‑wing voters around its fiscal agenda, the lack of transparent funding plans leaves analysts questioning the feasibility of delivering on the overtime tax promise without deeper cuts.