EEA welfare access to be challenged

Legal action is being taken by the Government to stop non-EU migrants from having access to the UK's welfare system.

Members of the the European Economic Area (EEA) such as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein could soon gain access to the social security system under proposals being considered in Brussels.

But Employment Minister Chris Grayling said that non-active migrants from outside the EU should not be able to access the system if they have never worked or contributed to the UK.

In a written statement Mr Grayling said proposals to alter the social security provisions of the EEA Agreement would be challenged by the Government.

"I believe this action demonstrates how seriously the Government takes our obligation to protect our rights under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union," he said.

MPs announced the challenge on Friday after initiating legal action on August 16 by submitting an application to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

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