How the main parties compare on immigration rhetoric indy100 indy100 Indy100 logoNewsletter sign upRegister/Sign inTop 100NewsViralPoliticsCelebritiesScience & TechVideoWishlistWishlistBooksFashion & BeautyFood & DrinkHome & GardenKidsSports & FitnessTechTravel & OutdoorsMoreScience & techVideoConversationsSportIdentitiesLifestyleShowbizTVSearchxNews

How the main parties compare on immigration rhetoric

Original ArticleAndrew Grice (editedI100 StaffNov 19, 2014 Labour has been accused of pandering to Ukip by proposing new curbs on benefits for EU migrants, despite the party itself warning the Tories had become locked in an "arms race" on immigration. The Labour proposals, unveiled yesterday by shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves, could not be implemented immediately in the event of Labour winning power next year, however, and would have to have the backing of the 27 EU member states. Here's what you need to know:

Current system

EU migrants must wait three months before they can claim Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). If they pass a "habitual residence test," they can claim JSA, child benefit and child tax credit for six months.

Labour proposals

Try to persuade the EU to extend the waiting period from three months to two years and try to limit tax credits to EU migrants.

Conservative proposals

David Cameron has vowed to dilute the EU's "free movement" rule but may have to settle for temporary restrictions. The Tories are also targeting tax credits.

What happens elsewhere

Rules tend to vary, but to claim benefits in another country, a migrant must pass a "habitual residence test." More: [Schools with lots of immigrants perform better, say statistics]2Keep reading...Show less

US actors Reynolds and McElhenney to be honoured by people of Wales

How will the next prime minister and Tory leader be chosen

Ellis-Bextor to get the party started at new show for Edinburgh s Hogmanay

Please log in or register to upvote this article

Top 100

Man endures ' 29 hour flight' with screaming kids for the entire trip

flightplanechildflightOct 12, 2022

How likely is it that Boris Johnson could be prime minister again

Boris Johnsonboris johnsontory leadership contesttory leadership racetory leaderTory leadershiptory leadershipConservativesconservative partyConservative Partyconservative leadership raceconservativesBoris Johnson19h

The Rocky career of Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnsonthe rockblack adamwweDwayne Johnson17h

Lorraine Kelly hits out at Madonna' s ' boiled egg' face

madonnamadonnalorraine kellygmbshowbizplastic surgeryOct 11, 2022

Elon Musk is actually selling a ' Burnt Hair' fragrance

elon muskthe boring companyperfumeelon muskburnt hairOct 12, 2022

Jon Stewart slams Arkansas attorney general for her ' anti-trans law'

lgbt+transgenderlgbt+jon stewartapple tvarkansasus newsnewsOct 11, 2022

Just Stop Oil protester praised for ' great' explanation of soup stunt

just stop oilvan goghprotestclimate activistsjust stop oilOct 19, 2022

Couple spark debate for ' scandalous' wedding cake topper

wedding caketiktokwedding cakeviralOct 12, 2022

Love Island star shows extent of how far influencers edit photos

Love IslandOct 11, 2022

Steven Seagal describes Putin as one of ' greatest world leaders'

steven seagalOct 10, 2022

Lizzo wears empowering shirt after being fat-shamed by Kanye West

lizzoOct 10, 2022

14 of the worst things the Tories did this week

liz trussOct 08, 2022

A lettuce just outlasted Liz Truss' stint as prime minister

Liz TrussOct 20, 2022

Newsnight guest says ' you can' t treat mortgages like prime ministers'

Liz TrussOct 20, 2022The Conversation (0)