Cameron sets out benefit restrictions Unknown Thursday, November 28, 2013

In January 2014, Bulgarian and Romanians will gain the same rights to work in the United Kingdom as other European Union citizens. Cameron's already decided to limit their access to benefits, healthcare and housing. 

Public concern over immigration is becoming increasingly high, ministers wish to demonstrate to critics such as UKIP, that Britain is not beholden to Brussels. At the same time, they do not want to deter skilled migrants who can benefit the economy. Cameron claims he wants to make sure people come to the UK "for the right reasons", not just to take advantage of the welfare system.

On Tuesday, Cameron made an effort to ease public concern about a wave of migration from Bulgaria and Romania in January next year when he announced several benefit restrictions on all EU migrant workers. The Liberal Democrats backed Cameron's plans, claiming they were sensible and reasonable. Nick Clegg has said:

These are sensible and reasonable reforms to ensure that the right to work does not automatically mean the right to claim. Other countries in the EU already have similar policies and are considering the case for going further. Unfettered access to benefits across member states simply does not exist.

In the series of restrictions, Cameron announced:

1. No newly arrived EU jobseekers will be able to claim housing benefit 

2. No EU migrant will be entitled to out-of-work benefits for the first three months
3. No EU migrant from January will be able to claim jobseeker's allowance for more than a maximum of six months unless they can prove that they have a genuine prospect of employment
4. A new minimum earnings threshold will be introduced before benefits such as income support can be claimed
5. Any EU national sleeping rough or begging will be deported and barred from re-entry for 12 months

Cameron said the controls were:

Not just aimed at Romanians and Bulgarians, but would apply to anyone in other EU countries thinking of coming to Britain because it is easier to claim benefits. I think it is very important to send out a clear message that this is not the case.

Immediately, Cameron's plans were criticised by Brussels, with the EU Commission saying the freedom of movement rules for people within the bloc were "non-negotiable". Brussels were not the only ones unsatisfied with Cameron's plans. A group of 40 Tory backbenchers are calling for the immigration bill to be toughened up so that the existing transitional controls on Romanians and Bulgarians are retained until 2018.

Meanwhile, Labour has accused David Cameron of panicking over measures to restrict benefits for migrants. The Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper has said the government was "flailing around" as a result of its proposals to limit unemployment and housing benefit for new arrivals. She later added that public confidence in Cameron's ability to handle the situation has collapsed, as he's taken drastic measures before the restrictions are lifted on 1st January 2014. The Prime Minister seems to be acting the way he is as he may potentially face a Christmas nightmare of Conservative backbenchers rebelling. 

In an attempt to exacerbate the blame on Labour, Cameron said it had been a catastrophic failure on Labour's behalf for not imposing transitional controls on new EU members in 2004. Which led to a surge in immigration, one million people from central and Eastern Europe now living in the UK. Cameron writes:

In 2004, the Labour government made the decision that the UK should opt out completely of transitional controls on the new EU member states. They had the right to impose a seven-year ban before new citizens could come and work here, but – almost alone in Europe – Labour refused it. That was a monumental mistake

Labour added:

He is not taking considered and thoughtful measures to deal with immigration, he is just panicking. It is ridiculous and farcical to try to blame Labour when the Tories agreed to the accession treaties. This is not clearing up Labour mess, he is clearing up Conservative problems.

 So... What does Romania and Bulgaria think of Cameron's actions?  Evidently, they reacted with fury and dismay, particularly at media portrayals of their citizens as benefit scroungers or criminals, the Daily Mail sure does a good job at this. Their governments have claimed the majority are hard-working and determined citizens who wish to contribute to British society. They also insisted that the majority of Romanian's and Bulgaria's who want to be in the UK are already here and this so-called "flood" Cameron is panicking over will not happen. 

Cameron faces Tory rebellion & Labour delay EU Bill Unknown Sunday, November 10, 2013

Conservative MP’s spent their Friday at Westminster in a five hour debate on James Wharton’s EU referendum Bill. Labour were accused of “playing silly buggers” after a series of Labour MP’s gave lengthy speeches, intervened numerous times and even put their drama skills to the test by staging delays in the lobby of the House of Commons. Cameron and many Conservative MP’s support a Bill in the Commons aimed at the need for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union by 2017. However, dozens of Conservative MP’s defied the Prime Minister and have demanded for a referendum to be held before the 2015 election.

Adam Afriyie, who was tipped as a future Conservative Prime Minister and alongside the support of over 30 Tory MP’s, could potentially force a Commons vote to make sure Cameron holds a referendum next year (directly opposing James Wharton’s EU Bill). Afriyie pointed out that the public are “not convinced” Cameron will stick to his pledge to hold a referendum on Europe in 2017. Cameron’s referendum pledge cannot be made law in the form of a coalition government bill because of the Liberal Democrats opposition. Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg has said:

"I think the Conservative Party is wrong to be flirting with exit from the European Union. Hundreds of thousands, millions of jobs depend on our place in what is the world's largest border less single market."

Afriyie said that any delay, such as Labour’s attempts, in holding a referendum posed “significant dangers” and would enable UK Independence Party (UKIP) to build up support. UKIP have urged MP’s to back Afriyie’s proposed referendum next year, Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP has said “I hope MP’s do what’s right, by voting to give the British people a say on the EU as soon as possible”.

During this exacerbating session, Conservative MP’s had to resort to using Twitter to express their frustration at the lack of progress in the Commons. MP’s must get through four groups of amendments at the Bill’s report stage, after the five hour debate, the House of Commons only agreed on one set of amendments. It looks like Labour MP’s have successfully slowed down the progress of the EU referendum Bill. Although most of voting was done by Conservatives, Labour MP’s did most of the talking in their delaying tactics. Miliband stated:

"The Conservative party talking to itself about Europe when actually what they should be doing is talking to the country about the most important issue that people are facing, which is the cost of living crisis"

The next day for the bill’s debate has been set to Friday 22^nd November, the debate will pick up where it left off, and Afriyie’s amendment may potentially be put to a vote. If Wharton successfully gets his bill through its report stage and the third reading, it will go through to the House of Lords.

Warm Welcome from Sweden as Britain Offer Only Cold Comfort Sam Wilson Sunday, November 10, 2013

You have escaped the unspeakable atrocities in your own homeland, braved perilous and terrifying conditions as you fled, but eventually, having lost everything, you reach salvation: the haven of a democratic country and the chance to rebuild your shattered life. Surely, even though it may be contrary to the letter of their immigration laws, this free-thinking, tolerant society will show pity and welcome you.

Forget it.

Instead the only “welcome” you get is “GO HOME” printed large on the side of a van. And this is not some far-right lobby. Oh no. This greeting comes from our very own elected government. Theresa May, in her greatest wisdom, gave the go-ahead to this £10,000 pilot scheme aimed at getting illegal immigrants to pack up and leave. What a fantastic idea; of course the reaction of any law-abiding illegal immigrant reading this sign would be to be overcome with guilt, pack their bags, and return to the hell from whence they came.

No wonder she decided to axe this ridiculous campaign almost as soon as it had been dreamt up. Not only was it a disgustingly insensitive approach to the immigration issue, it was also useless: it reportedly resulted in the departure of a one single immigrant. After this laughable failure, we must face difficult questions about how we deal with immigration issues in this country.

Contrast this approach with that of the Swedes. In line with their excellent reputation for social responsibility, they recently took the enormously generous decision to grant permanent residence to Syrian refugees seeking asylum. Their compassionate understanding of the desperate needs of these displaced people may not be a vote-winning move, but is so clearly what they need most. The permanence of the offer gives immigrants the opportunity to rebuild their lives, and let’s not forget that in most cases people forced to leave their homes due to war will be eager to return as soon as the conflict has ended.  This solution seems to me like the moral and right way of dealing with the issue, and the callous policies of our government are embarrassing by comparison.

And as a final thought, it is amazing how the majority of the time the media only highlights the negative impacts of immigration; it is in fact a mutually beneficial process. We must not forget the good immigrants have done for our country: our health service would collapse without them (despite the popular portrayal of immigrants putting a burden on the NHS), we would not have the “Great British” company that is Marks and Spencer, nor the iconic British Mini – both of course created by immigrants.