For immediate release
Responding to the latest universal credit statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
“The latest universal credit statistics should send a shiver down the spine of government ministers.
“Britain is sleepwalking into a culture of worklessness, with millions of Brits effectively dumped onto the welfare pile, all the while the system appears as a treasure chest for foreign nationals.
“Welfare reform cannot wait; it is unjust for hard-working families to be forced to subsidise an ever-growing benefits bill while they’re struggling under a record-high tax burden.
“Ministers must urgently tighten eligibility, bring back rigorous in-person assessments and stop Britain from becoming an international benefits bureau.”
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Key findings
-
Data released by the Department for Work and Pensions today revealed, among other things, that:
- The total number of people receiving universal credit increased from 6.8 million in June 2024 to 7.9 million in June 2025
-
A total of 1.23 million immigrants are receiving universal credit as of June 2025, including:
- EU Settlement Scheme - 770,379
- Humanitarian - 54,156
- Refugee - 118,749
- Indefinite leave to remain (not EU Settlement scheme) - 211,090
- Limited leave to remain (not EU Settlement Scheme) including family reunion - 65,267
- The number of people on universal credit with indefinite leave to remain (excluding EU settlement scheme) doubled from 104,557 in October 2022 to 211,090 in June 2025
Media contact:
William Yarwood
Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
-
Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
-
TaxPayers' Alliance's research council.
- The full statistical breakdown can be found here.