‘They are TAKERS!’ Lee Anderson warns number of foreign nationals on benefits would ‘shock’ nation
Reform MP Lee Anderson has been left fuming after claiming that migrants are “takers” from Britain’s welfare system rather than contributors.
Speaking to GB News, Anderson criticised the “impact on public services” created by mass migration to the UK.
Anderson’s comments come after fellow Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe claimed over 50,000 foreign nationals are passing eligibility tests for Universal Credit monthly.
Lowe cited data suggesting more than 3.3 million foreign nationals have successfully completed habitual residence tests for Universal Credit monthly since April 2019.
Speaking to GB News, Anderson said: “I think they are scared of actually delving down and getting these figures out because it would shock the entire nation what is costing us.
“We continually being told that mass migration is a good thing. It benefits the country. Anybody with an ounce of common sense can see that it doesn’t.
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“We’ve got people coming into the country who are not net contributors. They’re takers. They’re takers from the system.
“A system, by the way, which people like your parents, my parents and ourselves are paid into all our lives to build up our public services.
“We are just giving all that away to people that come into this country that have never paid a penny into the system in their lives.”
He added: “It’s absolutely simple. We want to have a sensible policy on migration. Illegal migration, that’s another argument altogether.
“We’ve got to look at the people coming in when they come in, what sort of job are they going to do and how much are they going to be paid into the Treasury through their income tax and National Insurance each week.
“Now, if they’re taking more out the system with universal credits, with housing benefit, with the council tax support, with the pupil premium, with healthcare, then what’s the point?
“We need people to come into this country to make a profit, not to make a loss.”
Lowe yesterday claimed that his role was to “hold [the] Government to account” and ensure actions were taken “in the interests of the British people”.
“We challenge the DWP if they disagree with these numbers… I want them to tell me they’re wrong,” he added.
A DWP spokesperson rejected Lowe’s claims.
“We do not recognise this figure – it is a misrepresentation of DWP data,” the spokesman told GB News.
The DWP also clarified that passing the Habitual Residence Test does not equate to receiving benefits.
“A successful Habitual Residence Test outcome is not the same as a successful Universal Credit claim,” the spokesperson added.