Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to the Government’s announcement on out-of-work benefits for migrants, said:

“Labour has repeatedly called for restrictions on benefits for migrants who have been here for a short period, the Government is playing catch-up yet again. We wouldn’t expect people coming to this country for only a short period to be able to claim child benefits, in the same way that we wouldn’t expect British citizens to be able claim in other countries.

“The government should go further and clamp down on child benefit being sent abroad. They should be negotiating now to bear down on this abuse of our system. People should be coming to the UK to contribute, not just to claim benefits.”