Benefit Tourism (Hansard, 28 March 1994)

§ 18. Mr. Dunn
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is planning to combat benefit tourism.

§ 23. Mr. Duncan Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he is taking to limit the payment of United Kingdom benefits to foreigners.

§ Mr. Lilley
The Government have referred a proposal for an habitual residence test in the income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit schemes to the Social Security Advisory Committee and the local authority associations. Once the consultation process has been completed, regulations will be laid before Parliament.

§ 25. Mr. Moss
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure that people from abroad, who are allowed to enter this country on condition that they will be no burden on public funds, will not be allowed to claim benefit.

§ Mr. Hayes
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if people from abroad who come into this country on the condition that they will be no burden on public funds will be prevented from claiming benefit.

§ Mr. Hague
Persons from countries outside the European Union are generally admitted to this country on the understanding that they do not become a charge on public funds while they are here. The income support rules exclude them,from receiving that benefit except in very closely defined circumstances. Regulations were recently laid before the House to take effect from 1 April which will bring the housing benefit and council tax benefit rules into line with the income support rules.