Newcomers from
European countries will be expected to prove they have earned at least
£150 a week for three months to qualify for income support, housing
benefit and other hand-outs available to people in low-income jobs.
But
the measure is unlikely to satisfy critics who believe that migrants
without a significant record of paying taxes and national insurance
contributions should not be allowed to claim any benefits at all.
Details
of the new “minimum earnings threshold” will be set out today by Work
and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith in the latest blitz on benefit
tourism.
Mr Duncan Smith said last night: “As
part of the Government’s long-term economic plan we have taken action to
make sure our economy delivers for people who want to work hard, play
by the rules and contribute to this country.
“These
reforms will ensure we have a fair system – one which provides support
for genuine workers and jobseekers, but does not allow people to come to
our country and take advantage of our benefits system.
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