BRITISH tax payers are funding around £10 million a year in disability benefits for more than 2,000 Brits living in Spain and across the EU.
Data from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that 2,244 British nationals living in EU countries receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
This represents an 86% increase from pre-pandemic levels, when 1,203 were claiming disability benefits.
READ MORE: A decade after Brexit: Could Andy Burnham be the man to steer Britain back towards the EU?
Figures reveal that 1,001 claimants are receiving support for musculoskeletal conditions, with mental health conditions accounting for 414 cases and 79 linked to hearing or visual impairments.
Expats living in the EU can claim disability benefits if they are able to prove a ‘genuine and sufficient link’ to the UK, such as receiving a UK state pension.
They can only receive the Daily Living component of PIP, which ranges from £76.70 to £114.60 per week, to assist with essential tasks like washing, preparing meals and dressing.
Expats are not eligible for the ‘Mobility’ benefit which covers travel within the UK.
Estimated to cost British taxpayers £10 million a year, the scheme allowing overseas residents to receive benefits has come under criticism.
Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader, said the system should be reviewed, expressing concern that it risks misuse of PIP claims.
A spokesperson for the DWP said a ‘very small number’ of disability benefits claimants live abroad.
They continued: “We’re fixing the broken system we inherited by creating a welfare state that works for disabled people and taxpayers and have launched the Timms Review [a comprehensive review of the PIP system] to make sure PIP is fit and fair for the future.”
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That there are “leavers” living in Spain begs the question of why they prefer to live in the EU rather than the UK.