Record High: 1.3 Million Foreign-Born Migrants Receive UK Universal Credit

Al Muhajiroun, Europe October 2009 by Gareth Davies, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 | Jihad Watch

The number of foreign-born migrants receiving welfare payments funded by British taxpayers has reached its highest level on record, according to newly released government data.

Figures published by the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that 1.3 million foreign-born people were claiming Universal Credit as of May, representing 15.5% of the scheme’s 8.4 million total recipients. Both the number of migrant claimants and the overall Universal Credit caseload are at record highs.

Analysis of the data indicates that the number of foreign-born welfare recipients has increased by approximately 20,000 compared with the same period last year.

Among migrant claimants, European Union nationals make up the largest group. Around 750,000 EU citizens receive Universal Credit, accounting for 8.9% of all claimants. Their eligibility stems from provisions established under the UK’s Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The data also shows that approximately 233,000 recipients hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a residency status granted to individuals who have legally lived and worked in Britain for at least five years. ILR holders are entitled to remain in the UK without a visa and can access the same welfare benefits as British citizens.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)