DWP admits more than ONE MILLION migrants claiming Universal Credit in Britain - including 700,000 unemployed
GBNEWS
| Nana Akua hits out at illegal migrants being offered crazy golf, trips to the circus and thousands of pounds of Amazon vouchersOfficial figures show a near 50 per cent increase in migrant claimants since 2022
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More than 1.26 million migrants are now claiming Universal Credit (UC) in Britain, according to newly released official figures.
The number of non-British nationals receiving the benefit has surged from 883,470 in 2022 to over 1.26 million in 2024, marking a sharp increase in just two years.
The figures, disclosed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), show that EU nationals make up the largest group, with 770,379 claimants.
A further 211,090 are non-EU nationals who hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), while 118,749 are refugees.
There are also 54,156 humanitarian visa holders, 75,267 on time-limited visas, and 33,240 categorised as 'other'.
Of the total migrant claimants, 737,799 are currently unemployed, while 510,970 are in work but still rely on Universal Credit to top up their income.
For comparison, 6.6 million British citizens currently receive Universal Credit. Of these, 4.3 million are not in work, while the rest are receiving in-work support.
Chris Philp, shadow Home Secretary said: "These are staggering figures and are clear proof that the Labour government has lost control of our welfare system.
"We’ve set out a clear, common-sense position. Universal Credit should be reserved for UK citizens only. This is about fairness, responsibility and protecting support for those who’ve contributed to this country.
Over 1MILLION migrants are claiming Universal Credit
"We’re calling on Keir Starmer to stop the drift and take action. British taxpayers should not be working hard to subsidise immigrants many of whom have only recently arrived. Taxpayers deserve a system that prioritises them, not one that continues to fund an unsustainable open-door policy.’"
Tory MP Neil O'Brien said: "Politicians claim that immigration is going to bring the best and brightest here, but we can see from that stats that's not true, and we are importing large numbers of people who will be a burden on taxpayers.
"This is madness and damaging our living standards. There is no sign Starmer will fix this."
Rob Bates from the Centre for Migration Control said: "Over one million migrants are claiming benefits in Britain. An unsustainable situation which lays bare the very real consequences that mass migration has inflicted on the British public.
"Indefinite Leave to Remain must be scrapped if we are to have any hope of turning the tide."
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: “The latest universal credit statistics should send a shiver down the spine of government ministers.
“Britain is sleepwalking into a culture of worklessness, with millions of Brits effectively dumped onto the welfare pile, all the while the system appears as a treasure chest for foreign nationals."
Universal Credit is designed to support people who are either out of work or on a low income, but the growing number of migrant claimants has raised fresh questions about eligibility rules, welfare sustainability, and pressure on public finances, particularly as the UK faces a cost of living crisis and persistent tax burden on working families.
While 6.6 million British citizens are also claiming Universal Credit, including 4.3 million who are unemployed, the scale of migrant participation in the benefit system has sparked calls for more transparency over how immigration and welfare policy interact.
Some personal finance experts warn that working households, especially those on modest incomes, may feel growing strain as the welfare system stretches to cover rising costs.
Others argue that many of those in work claiming UC are paying tax and contributing to the economy, but are caught in a wider affordability crisis affecting millions across the UK.
Under current rules, only migrants with specific immigration statuses are eligible for Universal Credit, including those with settled status, refugee status, or humanitarian protection.
Those with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) are not entitled to UC unless their status changes.
As the debate continues, Britons are being urged to review their own eligibility for Universal Credit, particularly if they’re facing job loss, reduced hours, or rising rent costs.
Support is also available through Council Tax reduction schemes, pension credit, and housing benefit for those not on UC.