Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, was not present in the House of Commons when the chancellor delivered his first Budget, saying he stayed away because he feared he could become involved in a "physical altercation" stemming from a dispute over seating arrangements.
Speaking at a press conference after the Budget, Farage said he had been "shocked" by a £10 billion commitment to support Ukraine announced as part of the government's fiscal package. He criticised the allocation as a surprise element of the Budget.
Farage also used the post-Budget briefing to repeat his party's policy priorities, saying Reform UK remained committed to cutting tax for cryptocurrency investors. He framed tax reductions for the sector as a key plank of his party's economic approach.
The Reform UK leader emphasised his absence from the Commons was motivated by concern about personal safety linked to a seating row, rather than opposition to the Budget's contents. He addressed reporters outside Parliament rather than participating in the chamber during the chancellor's statement.
The Budget, delivered as the chancellor's first, contained a range of fiscal measures of which the announced support package for Ukraine was one highlighted by Farage. His absence and comments underline ongoing tensions among some MPs as the government set out its financial priorities.