UK migrants claimed £7.6 billion in welfare benefits

In the UK, taxpayers funded over £7.6 billion in welfare for migrants in just one year, according to a report by the Centre for Migration Control (CMC). This analysis shows that about 1.16 million foreign nationals received universal credit, which is aimed at low-income individuals. These figures are from 2023, during a term of a conservative government before the election of the current Labour government. The CMC predicts that the numbers will rise due to increasing immigration rates into the UK. Migrants are eligible for universal credit once they have either refugee status or indefinite leave to remain. The £7.6 billion does not include additional support payments and accommodation costs for migrants waiting on asylum claims, which added another £5.4 billion. The CMC also reported that 40 nationalities are more likely to receive universal credit than British citizens. Congolese migrants top this list, with 445 claims per 1,000 people. Other nationalities, such as Iraqis and Afghans, also show high rates of benefits claims. Karl Williams from the Centre for Policy Studies stressed that the UK should implement a more selective immigration system to benefit the economy. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the situation, calling it "unacceptable" and suggested that low-wage migrants increase the tax burden on UK taxpayers. Previous statistics showed that nearly 1.7 million foreign residents in the UK are unemployed or not actively seeking work, costing taxpayers around £8.5 billion each year. This estimate does not account for costs related to asylum seekers or foreign students, hinting that the true financial impact may be even higher. The CMC additionally found that foreign nationals are arrested at twice the rate of British citizens and are more likely to face charges for serious crimes.