Cameron vows crackdown on benefits for EU immigrants
'You cannot expect to come to Britain and get something for nothing,' Prime Minister declares
David Cameron has announced a series of measures to control immigration, including a cut in available benefits for Europeans arriving in the UK.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the Prime Minister said his party's goal was an "immigration system that puts Britain first" and blamed Labour for creating an "increasingly generous, no-questions-asked welfare system which drew migrants to Britain for the wrong reasons".
Cameron said that a new policy of "deport first, appeal later" would also come into force this week for foreign criminals in the UK, except when there is a risk of serious harm in their home country.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Measures announced today included:
A cut in benefits for jobless EU immigrants
The government is halving the time for which European immigrants can claim benefits. European arrivals could previously claim Jobseeker's Allowance or child benefit for a maximum of six months unless they had clear job prospects. This cut-off point will now come at three months. "You cannot expect to come to Britain and get something for nothing," said Cameron.
A crack down on bogus 'colleges'
The coalition has shut down more than 750 sham colleges that were enabling people to arrive in the UK claiming to be students, said Cameron. In one college inspection, no students could be found at all and the inspector was told that they had all gone on a field trip to the British Library. Colleges will be forced to do proper checks on students and will lose their licence if ten per cent of their recruits are refused visas.
A reduction in UK job adverts abroad
Overseas-only recruitment is being banned and the number of UK jobs advertised via Jobcentre Plus on an EU-wide job portal will be "massively" restricted. Cameron said he aims to cut back the number of vacancies posted on this portal by more than 500,000.
Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, has promised the party will not engage in an "arms race" on immigration, but said Labour had previously called for proper controls on entry and restriction on welfare benefits for new European migrants.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Cameron put the Falklands sovereignty dispute to bed?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary says issue 'not up for discussion' ahead of visit amid renewed push from Argentina
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will America recognize a Palestinian state?
Today's Big Question Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the move. Some see it as the only route to peace.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Fasting to burger buffets: the weird and wonderful diets of politicians
Why Everyone's Talking About Rishi Sunak reportedly starts his week with a 36-hour fast
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published