§ Andrew SelousTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what entitlement to pension credit nationals of the EU accession countries will have if they come to live in the United Kingdom. [151069]
§ Malcolm WicksUnder European law, a national of a member state must generally enjoy the same access to social security benefits as a national of the state of residence. Entitlement to income-related benefits and pension credit is subject to the habitual residence test, which nationals of the EU accession countries would need to satisfy. This acts as a deterrent to benefit tourism.