VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Social Security Benefits: Undocumented Migrants

Asked by Helen WhatelyConservativeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 5 February 2026UIN 108722

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many non-UK nationals who entered in the United Kingdom without leave since July 2024 are in receipt of payments from his Department; and what is the (a) total and (b) per person sum of those payments.

Answered by Andrew Western

Those in the UK without lawful status are persons subject to immigration control and have no recourse to public funds. This means that those in the UK without a valid immigration status are not able to access public funds benefits including Universal Credit.

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