Migrant eligibility for Universal Credit accelerates, figures reveal
A migrant becomes eligible for Universal Credit payments every 43 seconds, according to new figures that highlight a substantial increase in foreign nationals entitled to benefits in the UK, reports BritPanorama.
The number of foreign nationals eligible for benefits has approached 734,200 for the year ending September 2025, almost double the number from two years earlier. This figure represents more than 14,000 people gaining access to welfare, translating to approximately 2,000 new claims each day.
Critics have voiced strong opposition to these findings, alleging that it is alarming for British taxpayers to fund rising welfare costs for migrants. Robert Bates, Research Director at the Centre for Migration Control, expressed concerns, stating, “It is absurd that current rules mean the British taxpayer is forced to make welfare payments to migrants.” Bates added that this trend represents a growing burden on public finances.
Between October 2024 and September 2025, an increase of 78 per cent in migrant claims has been observed, surging from 411,700 to the current figure. Since March 2022, nearly 2 million migrants have become eligible for benefits like Universal Credit, as evidenced by data obtained through Freedom of Information requests.
Earlier this year, the Department for Work and Pensions acknowledged that approximately 1.3 million migrants, or nearly 500 a day, were claiming Universal Credit. However, the latest figures indicate that the number of eligible foreign nationals could rise significantly as many remain undocumented.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has indicated plans to tighten immigration laws and enforce new rules requiring migrants to “earn” the right to remain in the UK. Proposed measures would extend the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain for benefit claimants, increasing it from five to fifteen years. Furthermore, those on benefits for more than a year may face a wait of up to twenty years for settlement.
A government spokesperson noted, “Universal Credit is primarily reserved for people settled in the UK, and overall, the proportion of claimants in this country who are foreign nationals has fallen since October 2024.” Nevertheless, specific plans have been announced to further increase the waiting period for migrants to access benefits, aiming to alleviate taxpayer burdens.
A growing discourse surrounding migrants’ access to welfare benefits highlights a tension between immigration policies and fiscal accountability. The evolving numbers pose significant questions about the future of benefit entitlement as the UK recalibrates its approach to migration.
The rapid increase in migrants qualifying for financial support signals broader challenges within the UK’s immigration framework. Balancing compassion with economic responsibility remains a critical discussion point as policymakers navigate these complex issues.
