Since the election, immigration has fallen by a third, and is expected to continue to fall. This is a result of the net migration cap we put in place when we took office. But my constituents are rightly concerned that too much of taxpayers’ money is used to provide welfare for people who haven’t contributed to the tax system in this country.
That’s why I welcome the news that the Government intends to explore options for limiting welfare benefits for immigrants, ahead of the expiration of the restriction placed on EU free movement here in Britain, when Bulgarians and Romanians will obtain the right to come and live here.
Policy options being considered include limiting all but emergency care on the NHS to British citizens, access to housing and legal aid, along with restricting access to tax credits and child benefits.
This should hopefully reduce welfare tourism, which will mean that immigration falls yet further.