§ 14. Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his Department's policy for issuing benefit payments to non-UK nationals. [6858]
§ Mr. Roger EvansWe have introduced significant changes to the Social Security regulations to narrow the access non-UK nationals have to the benefit system. The habitual residence test has dramatically reduced the number of awards of income support, jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit claims to European non-UK nationals.
People from outside Europe are subject to immigration controls. Those whose right to reside or remain in Great Britain is subject to any limitation or condition cannot become a charge upon public funds. Regulations have been introduced that extend the list of benefits not available to this group to include all the non-contributory benefits, and restrict the benefit entitlement of asylum seekers.