More than a million non-UK nationals are now receiving Universal Credit in the UK, according to the latest government figures.
This marks a significant shift in the welfare system, with political leaders and experts debating the implications of migrants accessing this benefit. The figures, which reveal that nearly 16% of claimants are not British citizens, have ignited a political storm and raised questions about the country’s welfare policies.
The Universal Credit system, designed to provide support to those who are unemployed or in low-paid work, has come under scrutiny in recent months. As welfare dependency rises, critics are questioning whether migrants should be eligible for the benefit.
These figures also reveal that 3.6 million British citizens on Universal Credit have no work requirements, with an increasing number of people unable to work due to long-term illness. The focus now shifts to how the government intends to reform the system to handle these complex challenges.
The Rise in Foreign Nationals Claiming Benefits
According to recent government statistics, over 1.26 million people on Universal Credit are non-UK citizens, a trend that has sparked considerable debate.
The largest group among these claimants are EU nationals who have been granted settled status post-Brexit, followed by individuals with indefinite leave to remain and refugees. While most of these claimants are unemployed, around 41% of foreign citizens are currently in work, which is slightly higher than the overall claimant rate of 34%.
Politicians such as Nigel Farage have raised concerns about the growing number of migrants on Universal Credit, arguing that these figures contradict the belief that all immigration benefits the economy.
He pointed to the 738,000 migrants on Universal Credit who are unemployed, using the data to reinforce his argument that immigration policies should be reconsidered.
Conversely, experts like Alex Clegg from the Resolution Foundation have defended the system, stating that immigrants are often working on low incomes or in temporary situations. They emphasised that immigrants who are eligible for benefits should receive the same support as British citizens if they contribute to the economy.
Welfare System Struggling with Long-Term Sickness
The rise in claimants with no work requirement has put additional strain on the Universal Credit system, which was initially designed for those who are unemployed but actively seeking work.
According to experts, a significant portion of this increase is due to people with long-term illnesses moving onto Universal Credit from other benefits, which reflects broader shifts in the UK’s welfare landscape.
Alex Clegg noted that the welfare system was originally set up to support the unemployed, but the increasing number of claimants with health conditions means the system needs to adapt. He argued that while Universal Credit has worked well in incentivising work, its current structure is increasingly ill-suited to dealing with health-related claims.
