UK reviews foreigners’ access to benefits

United Kingdom, 15th February: The UK is intending to limit foreigners’ access to health services, housing, benefits and justice.

This has been revealed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

UK to restrict benefits for EU nationals—The UK is planning to limit access to medical care, legal aid and housing for immigrants. This means foreigners are going to have curbs in accessing healthcare, benefits, housing and legal aid in the UK.

The UK will have restrictions on foreigners’ access to legal aid, housing, benefits and health care in the UK. These restrictions will make sure that the nation does not become a soft touch for foreigners.

Restriction on access to benefits for controlling abuse—Aim of cutting access of benefits for foreign nationals is to make sure that the immigration system is not vulnerable to abuse, said Cameron. The UK government feels that newcomers are likely to come rushing to the UK following recent reports of free access to National Health Service.

Access to health services, justice, housing and other things need to be the right of all UK citizens and not those who choose to come to the UK, he maintained.

The recent crackdown comes following tougher UK visa rules for non-EU nationals. UK PM Cameron’s recent decision is in the wake of expected flood of Bulgarians and Romanians to the UK after the beginning of free movement within the EU comes into force in January.

Apart from these cuts for foreign nationals, ministers are proposing reduction of child benefits sent overseas by foreigners which currently amounts to £36m to the UK annually. Out of these, nearly two-third goes to Poland. But a common fear with regard to recent tougher UK visa norms is that they will deter talented and bright foreign students from coming to the UK.

Access to emergency/accident treatment still available for foreigners—The UK ministers, meanwhile, want to make sure that foreigners are allowed to get access to emergency treatment in case of any accidents in the UK.

In addition, the UK is reviewing proposals of making medical insurance as mandatory for unemployment migrants to cover the costs of healthcare in the UK. Those facing charges in UK court may also lack access to legal aid, thereby restricting their access to justice.