European Commission sues UK over 'right to reside' test for EU immigrants
The European Commission (EC) announced on Thursday 30th May 2013 that it intends to sue the UK government in the European Court of Justice over alleged discrimination against immigrants from the EU in the UK's benefits system. The EC argues that the UK's 'right to reside' test, which EU citizens living in the UK must pass in order to qualify for benefits, is discriminatory because it treats EU citizens differently from UK citizens, something which is not allowed under European law.
The UK pensions minister Ian Duncan Smith told the BBC on the afternoon of 30th May that he will vigorously contest the EC's case. Speaking on The World at One show, he said 'The agreement in all the treaties was that this area of social security, social welfare, was a matter that was left to national governments. It was not something that the EC and the courts were meant to get involved in.'
Mr Duncan Smith said that other countries were also concerned that the EC was 'interfering' in welfare policy and characterised the EC's case as 'a land grab'. He said that Germany, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands and Denmark agree with the UK's position. Mr Duncan Smith said 'We are very keen that people can travel Europe and they can seek work. What we are not keen is if we have a system here that allows them to select the better benefit system to come and use and then come to the country for that'.
Global Migrate is a specialist visa consultancy. We are OISC registered. We can help with a wide range of visa applications to the UK or your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details 207 993 4762. or Start Your Free Assessment Herewww.global-migrate.com
The European Commission (EC) announced on Thursday 30th May 2013 that it intends to sue the UK government in the European Court of Justice over alleged discrimination against immigrants from the EU in the UK's benefits system. The EC argues that the UK's 'right to reside' test, which EU citizens living in the UK must pass in order to qualify for benefits, is discriminatory because it treats EU citizens differently from UK citizens, something which is not allowed under European law.
The UK pensions minister Ian Duncan Smith told the BBC on the afternoon of 30th May that he will vigorously contest the EC's case. Speaking on The World at One show, he said 'The agreement in all the treaties was that this area of social security, social welfare, was a matter that was left to national governments. It was not something that the EC and the courts were meant to get involved in.'
Mr Duncan Smith said that other countries were also concerned that the EC was 'interfering' in welfare policy and characterised the EC's case as 'a land grab'. He said that Germany, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands and Denmark agree with the UK's position. Mr Duncan Smith said 'We are very keen that people can travel Europe and they can seek work. What we are not keen is if we have a system here that allows them to select the better benefit system to come and use and then come to the country for that'.
Global Migrate is a specialist visa consultancy. We are OISC registered. We can help with a wide range of visa applications to the UK or your country of choice. Please feel free to contact us for further details 207 993 4762. or Start Your Free Assessment Herewww.global-migrate.com
No comments:
Post a Comment