About 120,000 Portuguese emigrants to the UK may be affected by the British Prime Minister’s proposal to cut social support to European Union immigrants.
"According to the Emigration Observatory data, in 2013 and 2014 about 30,000 Portuguese entered the UK each year. This number did not change substantially in 2015 and will not change in 2016 and 2017. This points to about 120,000 Portuguese being affected," says Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At issue is one of the four conditions put up by David Cameron in his renegotiation of the relationship of the UK with Brussels, prior to a referendum being held on whether to the UK stays part of the EC, or leaves.
In the proposal, Cameron wants Brussels to give the go-ahead to restrict European immigrants’ access to social benefits in the first four years of living in the UK.
Margarida Marquês, Portugal's Secretary of State for European Affairs, commented, "what the UK is proposing in terms of immigration policy does not respect the principle of non-discrimination and this we cannot accept."
The Portuguese reaction was replicated in most countries which export their citizens to the UK in significant numbers. Unsurprisingly, the greatest resistance came from Poland which has 700,000 of its citizens living in the UK.
In a tentative agreement at the end of 2015, France and Germany’s governments said they are willing to accept a suspension of social benefits, but only for a period of three years.
This proposal was well received by the British, "The UK is open to compromise and Cameron has the impression that many European leaders are also ready for it," said a French diplomat.
Comments
I was outlining the range of benefits available for those in the UK system. All are available for qualifying residents. Cameron is proposing restrictions for recent immigrants, many of who currently are entitled to a range of the above - not all of them, obviously.
Tom
Tom P massively overstates the actual number of benefits available, and fails utterly to point out that there are many qualifying conditions that must be met before anyone obtains any benefit at all. It's not simply a case of being in the country!
There's no chance of Dave being imaginative (he's a Tory for crying out loud - greed rules all!).
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jan/08/david-cameron-eu-renegotiation-could-extend-four-year-tax-credits-ban-british-expats
I'm afraid you flaunt your complete ignorance when you talk of Sangatte.
As you most likely use some form of computer, please note computers these days usually have access to something called Wikipedia, which may help you out should you wish to learn, to know (and later maybe even to speak?) the truth.
Also note that whether you like it or not, should you ever need a Portuguese benefit you will have access to it provided you meet the relevant qualifying conditions (i.e., same as a Portuguese citizen in the UK).
And thank you Ed for highlighting "as is their right".
The problem is not immigration , a cheap and cheerful blame hound for society , directed by the wealthy elite , politician and media , the problem is though like a good magician to divert the gaze away from the true problems , lack of investment in training and turnign the hatred that should be for the elite and banker towards an easier scapegoat.
The EU are providing a charter for idle Europeans to flock to the country offering the highest benefits. Which is why France built Sangat and is now creating an even larger camp on the Channel coast.