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Universal Credit: Foreign Nationals

Asked by Bob BlackmanConservativeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 26 January 2026UIN 907466

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the number of foreign nationals claiming Universal Credit.

Answered by Andrew Western

Universal Credit is primarily reserved for people settled in the UK, and the Government has announced plans to increase the standard time most migrants have to wait before they can achieve settlement, from five to 10 years.

This change will support the downward trend of Universal Credit claimants who are foreign nationals.

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