Nearly two million non-British nationals received benefits in the United Kingdom last year, according to research from the Centre for Social Justice think tank. The report estimates that the government spent approximately £23 billion on welfare payments, child support, and state pensions for 1.85 million foreign-born adults in the 2023 fiscal year. This figure is projected to rise to £27 billion by 2030.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Work and Pensions Secretary and co-founder of the think tank, expressed concern about the impact of immigration on the welfare system. He stated that the UK's immigration and social support frameworks were originally designed on the premise that new arrivals would be self-sufficient. Highlighting the strain on families and businesses facing increased taxation, he called for urgent reforms to reintroduce principles of contribution and reciprocity in the welfare system, alongside measures to facilitate employment opportunities for those currently dependent on benefits.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also noted that increased immigration without adequate controls can place additional pressure on public services and the welfare infrastructure. He argued that unchecked immigration growth exacerbates challenges in managing support systems effectively.

In response, a government spokesperson emphasised that eligibility for taxpayer-funded benefits is restricted to individuals with appropriate immigration status. The statement underscored the government's position that benefit claims by foreign nationals are subject to existing legal and regulatory requirements.