Written Question·Department for Work and Pensions·UIN 107417

Universal Credit: Foreign Nationals

Tabled: 21 January 2026
Answered: 3 February 2026
Named Day

Question

Helen Whately

ConservativeFaversham and Mid Kent

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the amount paid in Universal Credit to claimants recorded as non-UK nationals by month since 1 July 2024.

Answer

Andrew Western
Non-British and Irish nationals typically cannot access Universal Credit until they have been granted settlement after 5 years of lawful residence in the UK. The Home Office are consulting on doubling the standard qualifying period for settlement from 5 t...

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