Reform UK Shadow Home Secretary Zia Yusuf has demanded an end to benefit hand-outs to foreign nationals, after figures showed young non-British nationals are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as their British counterparts.
ONS figures reported this week put unemployment among young foreign nationals at 27%, compared with 13% among young British nationals. The rate was highest among young EU nationals, at 29%.
Responding to the findings, Yusuf said: “Young foreign nationals are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as young Brits. It’s costing taxpayers dearly.”
The figures come alongside research from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) estimating that 1.3 million foreign nationals receive Universal Credit, an increase of 38% since April 2022. Its analysis puts spending on working-age benefits for foreign nationals at approximately £14.3 billion in 2025.
The think tank estimates that the broader bill, including pensions and child-related support, totalled £23 billion in 2025 and could approach £27 billion by 2030.
ONS figures reported this week put unemployment among young foreign nationals at 27%, compared with 13% among young British nationals. The rate was highest among young EU nationals, at 29%.
Responding to the findings, Yusuf said: “Young foreign nationals are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as young Brits. It’s costing taxpayers dearly.”
The figures come alongside research from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) estimating that 1.3 million foreign nationals receive Universal Credit, an increase of 38% since April 2022. Its analysis puts spending on working-age benefits for foreign nationals at approximately £14.3 billion in 2025.
The think tank estimates that the broader bill, including pensions and child-related support, totalled £23 billion in 2025 and could approach £27 billion by 2030.
Never forget what the Tories did to this country
Yusuf laid the blame at the Conservatives’ door, after Tory governments allowed millions to come here in the “Boriswave” of mass immigration: “Never forget what the Tories did to this country.”
The CSJ’s report highlights how lax immigration policies are saddling British taxpayers with mounting costs for generations to come. Immigrants can access benefits and free health care once they are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Reform’s answer to this is a fundamental change to the system. Yusuf said: “We cannot go on like this. Reform will ban foreign nationals from claiming benefits immediately.”
He also reiterated the party’s commitment to replacing ILR with a tough five-year work visa, and reversing the surge in immigration under the Conservatives.
“We will abolish ILR, deport all illegal migrants, and reverse the Boriswave,” he said. “We will put the British people first.”
The CSJ’s report highlights how lax immigration policies are saddling British taxpayers with mounting costs for generations to come. Immigrants can access benefits and free health care once they are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Reform’s answer to this is a fundamental change to the system. Yusuf said: “We cannot go on like this. Reform will ban foreign nationals from claiming benefits immediately.”
He also reiterated the party’s commitment to replacing ILR with a tough five-year work visa, and reversing the surge in immigration under the Conservatives.
“We will abolish ILR, deport all illegal migrants, and reverse the Boriswave,” he said. “We will put the British people first.”
