Ministers have been urged to prevent migrants from treating the United Kingdom as a global cash machine, following the release of new statistics indicating that approximately one in four non-EU migrants with settled status are receiving Universal Credit. The Conservative Party has called for immediate action in response to government data showing 179,482 non-EU migrants with settled status claimed the benefit in December 2024.
Analysis of Migrant Benefit Claims
According to an analysis by the Migration Observatory, the total number of non-EU migrants with settled status at that time was estimated to be around 720,500. This means that roughly 25% of this group were in receipt of Universal Credit, and the proportion of claimants may have increased since then. The Department for Work and Pensions' latest statistics reveal that the number of non-EU benefit claimants has since surged to a record high of more than 222,000 in January 2025.
Tory Proposals to Restrict Benefits
The Conservative Party has outlined specific plans to prevent individuals with leave to remain in the UK from accessing benefits. Helen Whately, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: 'Our country simply cannot afford the ballooning benefits bill. People who come to the UK should be contributing, not drawing benefits. We are not a cash machine for the world.'
Internal Labour Party Disputes
Meanwhile, the Labour Party is embroiled in a significant internal conflict as the government attempts to tighten migrant regulations against the objections of party backbenchers. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has argued that the government must reduce migration to prevent the rise of right-wing parties that could divide communities with anti-immigration tactics similar to those seen in the United States.
New Government Measures for Refugees
Under recently revealed plans, individuals granted asylum in the UK will undergo a review of their refugee status every 30 months. Refugees from countries deemed safe will be expected to return home. A government spokeswoman commented: 'The Home Secretary recently set out new conditions to obtain indefinite leave to remain, including being employed and having no criminal record. We are also planning to double the standard time for migrants to settle in the UK to 10 years and increasing the period required to access benefits.'
These developments highlight the ongoing political and social debates surrounding immigration, benefits, and integration policies in the UK, with significant implications for both migrants and the broader population.
