Illegal immigrants can't claim benefits

The Daily Mail reported yesterday that up to 2,000 illegal immigrants, mainly Africans and Asians, had arrived in Calais - migrants who it said "will be able to claim benefits if they fail to find jobs" in the UK.

According to the House of Commons Library, migrants outside of the European Economic Area can only access social security benefits and tax credits if they have indefinite leave to remain (where they have no time limit on their right to stay in the UK).

It's by no means certain that all of these migrants would gain this status.

The only other way illegal immigrants can receive financial support in the UK is if they claim asylum and become asylum seekers - but the Library says this support is less generous than social security benefits. The support also isn't given because asylum seekers fail to find jobs, as they're generally not allowed to work.