New government data has shown an increase in the number of unemployed migrants receiving benefits, prompting debate over migration and welfare policy. Figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that 771,000 unemployed foreign nationals were claiming universal credit in January 2026, up from 497,000 in April 2022.

The Centre for Migration Control (CMC) said its research suggests that households containing at least one unemployed foreign national received £10.6billion in universal credit between January 2024 and June 2025. This has sparked fury on social media, with people sharing their views on the figures. One person said: “It’s confusing since socialists and liberals tell us immigrants come here to work. Why do they then need benefits?” Another added: “Don’t see why any government in the world would want to do this?”

The CMC wrote: “£6.7bn of benefits to unemployed migrant households in just 12 months. Equivalent to the annual income tax paid by 900k full time British workers. It could pay for the training of 20k British doctors. End the madness.”

Over the same 18-month period, £15.1billion was paid to households where at least one resident was a foreign national, meaning around 70% of payments to such households went to those with at least one unemployed migrant, according to the CMC.

Total social security spending in Great Britain is currently forecast to reach £323.1billion in 2025–26 over a 12-month period, with the overwhelming majority paid to UK citizens, particularly pensioners, disabled people, carers and low-income working families.

As of January this year, there were 8.4million people on universal credit.

*** Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***

People from the UK, Ireland, or with a Right of Abode account for 84.5%, the EU Settlement Scheme made up 9.0%, people brought in humanitarian relief consisted of 0.6% and refugees 1.6%.

Eligibility for universal credit requires passing the Habitual Residence Test, and some claimants classed as unemployed may be self-employed or temporarily out of work.

Around 55% of all welfare spending is projected to go to pensioners, while significant sums are spent on disability support, housing costs and child benefits.

The DWP said it continues to monitor trends in universal credit claims and reviews eligibility rules, as the debate continues over how to balance fairness, economic contribution and social protection in the welfare system.