§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security further to his oral answer of 4 July,Official Report, column 4, when the regulations to curb benefit tourism will be laid.
§ Mr. LilleyI have laid regulations today to prevent benefit tourism. From 1 August people claiming income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit will have to be habitually resident of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Republic of Ireland or the Isle of Man. European Economic Area nationals who have acquired worker's rights under EC directives by working in the United Kingdom on a regular basis, asylum seekers; refugees and those given exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom will be unaffected.