Fury as one in four settled migrants claim UK benefits | UK | News
Government figures have revealed the scale of benefit claims among non-EU immigrants with settled status in Britain – with analysis suggesting roughly one in four people receive Universal Credit, fueling Conservative Party demands for an immediate overhaul of the system over fears the UK is becoming “a cash machine for the world”.
The raw figures come from the Department for Work and Pensions and record that there were 179,482 people on indefinite leave outside the EU Settlement Scheme and under Universal Credit in December 2024. Figures show around a quarter of this population receiving assistance, compared to the Migration Observatory’s estimate of 720,500 non-EU citizens with settled status at the same point.
What worries critics most is the trend. Ministry of Internal Affairs estimates predict that the number of people who will gain settled status between 2026 and 2030 will be 1.6 million. If we carry forward the current rate of claim, close to 400,000 of this group will receive Universal Credit before the decade is out, moving towards a welfare bill that could approach £5.5bn a year by 2030.
Tory demands
The Conservatives want indefinite leave to stay away from the automatic benefit entitlement entirely and are pushing to extend the period required for settlement from five to ten years; This is an amendment that the Home Office has opened for consultation.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Those with ILR should not be able to claim any form of assistance unless authorized under the EU resolution plan or by agreement.”
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately added: “People coming to the UK should be contributing, not seeking benefits.”
government response
Ministers insist the system is already being tightened.
A government spokesman said: “The Home Secretary has recently set out new conditions for obtaining indefinite leave to remain, including being employed and having no criminal record.” he said.
“We also plan to double the standard time for immigrants to settle in the UK to ten and increase access to benefits.”
