Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the DWP announcement on the Habitual Residence Test , said:

“Why has it taken the Government nearly 12 months to copy Labour’s proposal to make the Habitual Residence Test stronger and clearer? After Labour proposed changes in March 2013 the Government said nothing needed to change.

“No wonder public confidence in the Government’s handling of this issue has collapsed.

“The Government should be doing far more to make the system fairer and protect workers by strengthening enforcement against dodgy gangmasters and targeting sectors that are reliant on migrant labour to ensure they are working to train employees.”