Taxpayers’ money should not be used to fund Government services in foreign languages for those who do not speak English, according to Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe.

Mr. Lowe expressed concern over nearly £17,000 being spent weekly on translation services in Jobcentres.

He stated, “Except for obvious exceptions, anyone who cannot speak English should not be entitled to benefits. All translation services for foreign languages should be abolished. It is not the responsibility of British taxpayers to assist foreign nationals in accessing welfare. Scrap the whole system.”

In response to Mr. Lowe’s inquiry, Work and Pensions Minister Andrew Western disclosed that £882,118 was spent on translation services in Jobcentres in 2024, including costs related to the international pension service.

Callum McGoldrick from the TaxPayers’ Alliance commented that taxpayers would be "speechless" at the expense, criticizing successive governments for failing to ensure migrants have adequate English skills to succeed in the workforce. He urged ministers to prioritize English proficiency for migrants to reduce these costs over time.

Mr. Lowe has been seeking details on translation expenditures across Government departments. He recently discovered that the courts and tribunal service spent £10 million on translation and interpretation in the 2024-25 financial year. Additionally, between April 2020 and November 2024, HMRC allocated £4.61 million to these services.

A Government spokesperson defended the spending, stating that supporting all benefit claimants, regardless of nationality, is crucial for improving their employment prospects. They emphasized that increasing workforce participation is vital for addressing skill shortages and boosting economic growth, highlighting the role of the Get Britain Working plan in securing jobs and training opportunities for young people.

The Government maintains that, in general, individuals entering the UK should be financially self-sufficient and not reliant on public funds. Refugees can only claim Universal Credit once the Home Office has granted them "refugee status."