Universal Credit Is the Next Test For ‘Hostile Environment’ Immigration Policies

Hostile environment immigration policies mean that low income families must pass the Habitual Residency Test by 2022 to claim Universal Credit.

Policy in Practise policy analysis finds that:

•             Universal Credit Work Coaches will be responsible for applying Home Office immigration policy

•             Current benefit claimants will have to prove their citizenship or immigration status to move to Universal Credit

•             The 2011 census found that 9 million people don’t have a passport

•             Current problems with GOV.UK/Verify mean that only around a third of Universal Credit applicants can verify their identity online