{"id":54904,"date":"2015-03-09T15:12:53","date_gmt":"2015-03-09T15:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=628c51c2bbeae9df9be71caed61edd28"},"modified":"2015-03-09T15:12:53","modified_gmt":"2015-03-09T15:12:53","slug":"press-release-eu-jobseekers-barred-from-claiming-universal-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=54904","title":{"rendered":"Press release: EU jobseekers barred from claiming Universal Credit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The new regulations mean that under Universal Credit no EU households will be able to access means-tested benefits in the UK without having worked here first.<\/p>\n

Action has already been taken to halve the amount of time EU jobseekers can claim Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit and means that if they don\u2019t have a job after 3 months they will lose their right to reside in the UK. New migrant jobseekers are also now unable to claim Housing Benefit.<\/p>\n

These tough new rules are part of the government\u2019s long-term economic plan to protect the benefits system and ensure EU migrants come to this country for the right reasons and to contribute to the economy.<\/p>\n

Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith said:<\/p>\n

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Universal Credit is a new benefit that will make work pay and help lift people out of poverty and it is already transforming lives.<\/p>\n

As part of the government\u2019s long-term economic plan we have led the way with a series of measures to tackle abuses, tighten immigration routes, and toughen up the rules on access to UK benefits \u2013 and we have seen other European countries follow our lead and take similar action.<\/p>\n

Our new rules for Universal Credit will ensure we have a fair system where people cannot claim means tested benefits until they have worked.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The department is abolishing 6 existing income-related benefits:<\/p>\n