Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit: Foreign Nationals

Monday 9 March 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The proportion of foreign nationals claiming universal credit who are in work is one third higher than the proportion for people who are British or Irish.
  • The Home Secretary has proposed extending the period before somebody can achieve settlement from five to 10 years.
  • A consultation is under way to move the point of eligibility from settlement to citizenship.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Data shows a decline in foreign nationals claiming universal credit, but concerns remain about the impact on UK taxpayers and the employment status of these claimants.

Question

What assessment has been made of trends in the number of foreign nationals claiming universal credit? According to the Government's own figures, most foreign nationals who are claiming universal credit are not in work. The Government do not seem to want to do anything to bring that figure down, so will the Minister tell us how much this is costing the UK taxpayer?

Answer from Andrew Western

The proportion of foreign nationals claiming universal credit who are in work is one third higher than the proportion for people who are British or Irish. The figure is 10% lower in terms of people who are not in work. It is often difficult to extrapolate a specific number because universal credit figures are calculated on a per household basis rather than on an individual basis. If I am able to provide the specific number, I will follow up with him in writing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific cost figure to the UK taxpayer.

How: It Is Often Difficult To Extrapolate A Specific Number Because Universal Credit Figures Are Calculated On A Per Household Basis Rather Than On An Individual Basis.

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Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Immigration Foreign Affairs Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concerns about the fiscal impact of benefits for foreign nationals, particularly in the context of a rising working-age benefits bill.

Question

The working-age benefits bill is set to reach £171 billion by the end of this Parliament, yet the Government are doing nothing to get it under control. In fact, by scrapping the two-child cap, they have added another £3 billion. It is time to stop spending and get saving. The Conservatives would stop benefits for foreign nationals and save £7 billion a year. Britain cannot be a cash machine for the world. With war in Ukraine and now in the middle east, we must boost our national security, so why are the Government continuing to bankroll benefits for migrants rather than investing in defence?

Answer from Andrew Western

The Home Secretary has brought forward proposals to extend the period before somebody can achieve settlement from five to 10 years, and there is a consultation under way to move that point from the point of settlement to the point of citizenship. However, if it is the Conservatives' position to suggest that somebody who has worked here for decades, contributed to the system and made a positive contribution to this country should have absolutely no access to support, we have a fundamentally different point of view.

Not addressed: Did not address why the Government is continuing to provide benefits for foreign nationals rather than investing in defence.

How: The Home Secretary Has Brought Forward Proposals To Extend The Period Before Somebody Can Achieve Settlement From Five To 10 Years

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Q3 Helen Whately Con Faversham and Mid Kent
Immigration Foreign Affairs Benefits & Welfare
Context

The working-age benefits bill is projected to reach £171 billion by the end of this Parliament, but the Government has taken actions that increase costs, such as scrapping the two-child cap, adding £3 billion. The questioner suggests saving £7 billion a year by stopping benefits for foreign nationals.

Question

The working-age benefits bill is set to reach £171 billion by the end of this Parliament, yet the Government are doing nothing to get it under control. In fact, by scrapping the two-child cap, they have added another £3 billion. It is time to stop spending and get saving. The Conservatives would stop benefits for foreign nationals and save £7 billion a year. Britain cannot be a cash machine for the world. With war in Ukraine and now in the middle east, we must boost our national security, so why are the Government continuing to bankroll benefits for migrants rather than investing in defence?

Answer from Andrew Western

The Home Secretary has brought forward proposals to extend the period before somebody can achieve settlement from five to 10 years, and there is a consultation under way to move that point from the point of settlement to the point of citizenship. However, if it is the Conservatives' position to suggest that somebody who has worked here for decades, contributed to the system and made a positive contribution to this country should have absolutely no access to support, we have a fundamentally different point of view.

Not addressed: Did not address why the Government is continuing to provide benefits for foreign nationals rather than investing in defence.

How: The Home Secretary Has Brought Forward Proposals To Extend The Period Before Somebody Can Achieve Settlement From Five To 10 Years

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