𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

TAXPAYERS’ money should not be spent providing Government services in foreign languages for people who cannot speak English, according to Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe.

The MP was concerned to learn that the equivalent of nearly £17,000 a week is spent on translation in Jobcentres.

Mr Lowe said: “If you can’t speak English, obvious exceptions aside, you should not be entitled to a penny in benefits. All translation services for foreign languages should be cut.

“It is not the British taxpayer’s responsibility to help foreign nationals access our welfare system. Scrap the lot.”

Work and Pensions minister Andrew Western revealed the cost in a parliamentary answer to Mr Lowe, saying: “The total spent on translation in Jobcentres in 2024 was £882,118. This figure includes international pension service.”

Callum McGoldrick of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “Taxpayers will be left speechless by the cost of translation services at Jobcentres. Government after government has failed to make sure that those migrating to Britain are able to speak adequate English in order to succeed in the workforce.

“Ministers need to ensure those entering the country can speak English in order to bring down these costs in the long run””.

Mr Lowe has been asking Government departments for details about translation costs. This month he was told that in the 2024-25 financial year the courts and tribunal service spent £10million on translation and interpretation.

He also learned that between April 2020 and November 2024 HMRC spent £4.61million on translation and interpretation.

A Government spokesperson said: “It is right that we provide support to all benefit customers regardless of their nationality to help improve their chances of finding work. Bringing more people into the workforce is essential to tackle skills shortages and boost economic growth, and our Get Britain Working plan will help more people into work and guarantee young people the chance to earn or learn.”

The department insists that – in general – people who come into the UK should be able to provide for themselves without public funds.

Refugees can only receive Universal Credit once they have been awarded “refugee status” by the Home Office.