Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ascertain how many non-British nationals hold United Kingdom National Insurance numbers; and how many are citizens of (1) other European Union countries, and (2) non-European Union countries.

Information as to how many National Insurance numbers were in use at the end of (1) 2013 and (2) 2014 could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Non-British nationals, including those with time-limited visas, must be able to prove their identity, have a lawful immigration status and permission to work in the UK before they are entitled to a National Insurance number.

The Department for Work and Pensions does not cancel National Insurance numbers. This is because a National Insurance number, even if only used for a limited period, links an individual to their National Insurance contributions record which may be relevant in any future claim to benefits or State Pension.

The Department for Work and Pensions is provided with information by National Offender Management Service relating to all prisoners received into custody. On receipt of this information checks are undertaken by DWP to identify any benefit recipients. If benefit is in payment to any individual identified from this information the claim will be reassessed and DWP systems updated to reflect the change of circumstances.

There are no plans to take steps to ascertain how many non-British nationals hold United Kingdom National Insurance numbers.