Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much has been spent on in-work housing benefit for migrant workers from the European Economic Area who have arrived in the UK within the last (a) six months, (b) 12 months and (c) 24 months.

Whilst the Government checks the immigration status of benefit claimants to ensure the benefit is paid properly and to prevent fraud, historically that information has not been collected as part of the payment administrative systems. It is therefore not possible to supply the information requested.

However, the Government is looking at ways to reform the current administrative system under Universal Credit so that it will systematically record nationality and immigration status of migrants who make a claim.

The Government has introduced a number of measures to restrict access to benefits over the last year in support of Government policy to focus support towards those who come to the UK in order to contribute.