Government figures revealed more than 179,000 non-EU migrants with settled status in Britain had claimed benefits during 2024. Raw figures from the Department for Work and Pensions recorded 179,482 people holding indefinite leave to remain (ILR) outside the EU Settlement Scheme were on Universal Credit in December 2024.

The figures triggered anger among the Tory party, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp calling for an end to benefits for people with ILR. He said: “Those with ILR should not be able to claim benefits at all, unless under the EU settlement scheme or entitled by treaty.”

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately was just as frustrated, commenting: “People who come to the UK should be contributing, not drawing benefits.”

ILR grants individuals the right to live, work, and study permanently without time restrictions or visa renewals. The precise number of non-EU citizens with ILR is not known, but Migration Observatory estimates suggest this may have been between 622,000 and 820,000 at the end of 2024. This suggests that around one in five of non-EU settled migrants had claimed benefits.

Universal Credit aims to support people on low incomes or those who need help with living costs. Claimants must live in the UK, have less than £16,000 in money, savings and investments, and be aged between 18 and State Pension age.

These benefits are not only open to eligible British or Irish citizens at present. Eligible people with EU settled status, indefinite leave to remain (ILR), refugee status or humanitarian protection, or a visa under the Ukraine family scheme or the Homes for Ukraine scheme may be able to claim.

Individuals can receive £316.98 per month on a standard allowance if they are single and aged below 25. Once eligible singletons reach 25, they will receive a higher rate of £400.14. The amounts vary for couples who live together, but they receive less per person than if they were to claim alone.