Pro-European business leaders responded on Tuesday to the surge in support for Ukip by proposing to restrict EU immigrants’ access to benefits, including a three-month qualification period for jobseeker’s allowance and removal of child benefit for offspring not living in the UK.
The Business for New Europe group admitted there was “a massive credibility gap” with the public over politicians’ assurances that EU immigrants could not access benefits and public services too readily. Ministers are expected to propose tightening of eligibility for housing, welfare and health benefits in the Queen’s speech.
Business for New Europe has clearly calculated that if pro-Europeans reject any tightening of the eligibility rules, then the wider case for staying in Europe will start to lose respect.
The BNE shift also came as a Labour member of the Treasury select committee called for Labour to respond to the rise in support for Ukip by calling for an end to the free movement of workers in the EU.
Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor
via Restrict EU immigrants’ access to benefits, says pro-Europe group | UK news | The Guardian.
Job Market Monitor 
Discussion
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Pingback: EU Court of Justice – Countries can exclude jobless immigrants from getting welfare | Job Market Monitor - November 11, 2014