British taxpayers are paying more than one million foreign nationals’ benefits, the Conservatives have described this as simply “astonishing.”
According to new analysis by the Centre for Migration Control (CMC) around 40 different nationalities are claiming benefits.
Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp told The Telegraph, “It is immoral that British taxpayers are subsidising nationals of other countries on an industrial scale. No wonder our taxes are so high.
“Research shows low-wage migrants actually cost other taxpayers money. This is why the era of mass migration has to end.
“I have tabled amendments to the Borders Bill to create a legally binding annual cap on immigration numbers and an increase in the visa salary threshold to £38,000 across the board.”
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said, “We have a duty to pay benefits to all those entitled to receive them, however the figures highlighted refer to 2019, and can’t be used to provide an indication of the current nationality of claimants.
“Universal credit is designed to incentivise moving people into employment and progression at work and has a thorough application process.
“Illegal migrants with no immigration status cannot receive universal credit and refugees and non-UK or Irish citizens can only receive payments once they have had their status granted by the Home Office and satisfy the Habitual Residence Test.”
