HARLOW MP Robert Halfon supports new immigration control measures to limit benefits and NHS ‘tourism’ for new immigrants coming to the UK.

The Prime Minister has announced that measures will be brought through to ensure the following:

– European job seekers can only access benefits after 3 months in the country

– A minimum earning threshold will be applied to ensure EU nationals are working in the UK before they can claim benefits

– There will be a minimum period of residence in a community before a EU national can qualify for social housing

– the NHS will claim back the cost of treating EU nationals who are not resident in the UK

In the course of the statement made by the Home Secretary on immigration in House of Commons on Wednesday, Mr Halfon asked Home Secretary Theresa May: “My Harlow residents will welcome the measures announced by my right hon. Friend because they are entirely fair, but will not many hard-working immigrants who do not claim handouts from the British taxpayer welcome them as well, because they create a level playing field?”

In response, Mrs May said: “My hon. Friend has put his finger on an important point. What we are doing is fair to the hard-working people who have come to the UK legally, played by the rules and done the right thing.

“It is every bit as frustrating for them to see people coming here and abusing and playing the system. That is another reason why it is absolutely right for us to take this action.”

Mr Halfon added “The Prime Minister is working with other countries who also want reform – and we are putting the choice about our future in Europe in a referendum.

“If the Conservatives are in charge after the next election, the British people will have their say.

“Labour could have stopped people from new EU countries from coming here for seven years but – almost alone in Europe – Labour take tough decisions.

“This Government has extended controls on immigrants from Bulgaria and Romania from five to the maximum seven years and is committed to introducing new measures to control immigration.