Reprieve for Cameron as court in Europe rules out benefit tourism
A COURT in Europe has ruled that member states do not have to pay benefits to EU migrants who cannot support themselves, signalling a victory for David Cameron, who has called for an end to so-called benefit tourism.
The ruling, which relates to the case of a Romanian woman and her son in Germany, states that EU citizens who move to a country with the intention of claiming benefits can be refused by the host state. The result is significant, particularly for the Prime Minister, who has vowed to put an end to migrants claiming UK benefits but up until now has lacked the legal ability to do so.
Speaking during a campaign visit to Rochester yesterday, Cameron said the ruling was “common sense”, adding: “It is a good step in the right direction because, as I have said, the right to go and work in other countries should not be an unqualified right. There should be rules about restricting benefits.” The Conservatives are battling Ukip in the Rochester seat and are likely to lose to former party member Mark Reckless, who defected earlier this year. The ruling may now give Cameron a stronger platform to face up to voters who don’t believe he can deliver on his promise to reduce EU migration.
Labour’s Rachel Reeves also welcomed the decision yesterday and called on ministers to go further in order to ensure EU migrants could not claim support unless they had contributed.