Chris Bryant MP, Labour’s Shadow Welfare Minister, responding to plans to test migrants on their English skills, said:

“For generations, people have come to this country and worked hard to contribute to Britain, but the principle of contribution is an important one, and the controls on immigration must be fair to those who live here.

“That is why Labour called for stronger restrictions on benefits for new arrivals from the EU, including proposals eight months ago to strengthen the habitual residence test to make it clear that people should not be able to claim benefits when they first arrive. At the time, the Government dismissed those proposals, but eight months later they have changed their minds and keep re-announcing their proposals. Yet the Government are still doing nothing to tackle the serious problem of low-skilled migrant workers being exploited, undercutting local workers and responsible businesses too. That is bad for everyone, yet they are doing nothing about it.”