Nearly 2 Million Foreign Nationals Receive UK Benefits and State Pensions
Analysis reveals a significant number of non-British citizens claiming welfare, prompting calls for reform.
Nearly two million foreign nationals are currently receiving benefits or the state pension in Britain, according to recent analysis. The figures indicate that 1.3 million non-British citizens are claiming Universal Credit, a number that includes 745,000 European nationals who remained in the UK following Brexit.
Further data shows that 200,000 foreign nationals are in receipt of sickness benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance. Additionally, approximately 400,000 foreigners are receiving the UK state pension.
The total cost to taxpayers for these benefits and pensions for foreign nationals amounted to £23 billion last year and is projected to reach £27 billion by the end of the decade. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), which conducted the research, attributes this rise to increased immigration, with migrants becoming eligible for benefits after establishing permanent residency.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, founder of the CSJ and former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, stated that Britain's welfare and immigration systems were initially designed with the expectation that immigrants would be self-sufficient. He expressed concern that unconstrained immigration has driven up the welfare bill at a time when families and businesses face tax increases. Duncan Smith called for a restoration of contribution and reciprocity to the welfare system, alongside efforts to help British citizens on out-of-work benefits.
Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's Treasury spokesman, criticized the spending as a "waste of taxpayers' money," arguing that migrants should not expect benefits in the UK, just as they would not in countries like Japan or India. He questioned the justification for this expenditure, particularly in light of potential tax increases.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has proposed extending the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain for migrants, but these plans may be modified due to opposition from elements within the Labour party and trade unions.