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Nearly 1.5 million migrants receive benefits, figures show
Migrants made up 15.6% of Universal Credit recipients, while Conservatives called for tighter benefit rules and Labour defended planned reforms.
- Government data shows 1,497,774 migrants claimed Universal Credit in the 12 months to December 2025, representing 15.6% of the 9.6 million total claimants. More than 200,000 were refugees or had humanitarian protection, mostly via European schemes.
- Robert Bates, research director at CMC, warned that taxpayers supported 1.5 million economically dependent foreign individuals last year. He argued this positions the UK as the "food bank of the world" amid declining British living standards.
- Chris Philp, the Conservative Party shadow home secretary, said the party would ban benefit claims by immigrants, excluding those with permanent settlement. Philp called the system "unfair and immoral," urging the Department to stop payments.
- Defending the reforms, a Government spokesman stated the proportion of foreign nationals claiming Universal Credit has fallen in the past year. Officials plan to double the residency time required before migrants qualify for public funds.
- Labour proposes doubling the time before migrants are entitled to claim ILR from five to 10 years, conditional on earning a wage, speaking English to a high standard, and contributing to society.
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The Droitwich StandardReposted by 
rugbyobserver.co.uk
rugbyobserver.co.ukNearly 1.5 million migrants claimed Universal Credit last year, figures show – NATIONAL NEWS
Almost 1.5 million migrants claimed Universal Credit last year, according to official figures that are set to pile fresh pressure on Labour over welfare and immigration. Government data revealed that 1,497,774 foreign nationals received the benefit at some point during the 12 months to December 2025, accounting for 15.6 per cent of all Universal Credit claimants. The figures mean almost one in six people receiving the benefit were not British ci…
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Total News Sources7
Leaning Left0Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Right
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources lean Right
80% Right
C 20%
R 80%
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