Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the likely impact of the compliant environment immigration policy on the roll-out of Universal Credit.

The Department has regular discussions with the Home Office in the context of ensuring that the benefit system is fair to British citizens, those who settle here and those who migrate to the UK.

It has been the case since 1994 that anyone claiming a DWP income-related benefit must demonstrate that they are habitually resident, that is, they have close ties to the UK and an intention to settle here. The test was extended in 2004 to include a legal right to reside element.