Jobless migrants to be denied housing benefits - Immigration Advice Service respond
Immigration Advice Service says that move to block benefits could prove controversial
Migrants from Europe who are out of work will be refused housing benefits as of April this year, that's according to several senior government ministers.
The Daily Mail reported that Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith and Home Secretary Theresa May said a move to block jobless migrants from removing benefits would help to protect the welfare system in the UK from exploitation. It was also suggested that if migrants don't have a "genuine" chance of finding work that their jobseekers money would be put to a stop after 6 months.
At the moment there is currently a three-month ban pertaining to unemployment benefits in force. The Labour party is reportedly supportive of the proposed 6 month cap but stressed more details regarding the policy are needed.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Iain Duncan Smith and Theresa May said:
"For those migrants who do come here, we're ensuring they are unable to take unfair advantage of our system by accessing benefits as soon as they arrive.
"For example, we introduced rules so that from January 1st this year we are banning individuals from receiving out-of-work benefits until they have been living in the UK for three months. And we will go further still: from the beginning of April we will be removing entitlement to housing benefit altogether for this group.
"In addition, EU migrants can only claim jobseeker's allowance for six months unless they have genuine prospects of finding work. No longer can people come here from abroad and expect something for nothing."
The change in policy will ensure that "Britain's growing economy and dynamic jobs market deliver for those who work hard and play by the rules."
Immigrant Advice Service, a company with offices across the UK with a focus on immigration and VISA related issues, has responded to the proposed changes. A spokeswoman for the company said:
"Of course it's right to tackle people who abuse the system but much of the changes that we're seeing are politically motivated and excessive. For all the talk about people who abuse the system, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot being done about the big corporations and businesses people operating in the UK who are guilty of taking a whole lot more from the pockets of the British public."
Continuing, Immigration Advice Service said:
"We're a leader in the immigration advice sector and we're always happy to help migrants with legal issues pertaining to benefits and a whole host of other issues."
Visit the Immigration Advice Service today at www.iasservices.org.uk for a whole host of immigration advice services and news.
For quotes contact Immigration Advice Service on 07956867753.
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