UK Universal Credit recipients reach record high

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that the number of people receiving Universal Credit in the United Kingdom reached a record high in May. Approximately 8.36 million to 8.4 million people are now receiving these welfare payments, an increase of roughly 700,000 from the previous year.

Of these claimants, over half—approximately 4.3 million—have no requirement to look for work. The proportion of claimants who are employed while receiving benefits fell to 37.7 percent, down from 41.9 percent a year earlier.

Migrants account for over 15 percent of Universal Credit claimants. Specifically, about 1.3 million migrants are receiving benefits, with EU citizens making up a significant portion of that group. This includes individuals granted access via the EU Settlement Scheme following Brexit.

In response to these figures, the Reform UK party has proposed plans to cut welfare spending by £51 billion annually. Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick stated that a Reform government would seek to ban all non-British citizens from receiving welfare benefits, a move he claims could save taxpayers £21 billion per year by 2029.