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Public 'backs action' as immigrants face 10-year benefit ban
Joe Murphy, Political Editor8 Dec 2008
MASSIVE public support for cutting welfare benefits was claimed today as the Government vowed to curb claims by immigrants.
New polling research commissioned by ministers found that taking a tough line is hugely popular with voters.
In the latest example of harsher rhetoric, immigration minister Phil Woolas said that migrants should be barred for up to 10 years after their arrival from claiming handouts and social housing.
Mr Woolas told the Sun: "Entitlement to benefits should be for citizens of our country, not other people.
"If you are a citizen you have earned the right to benefits. People must show they are here to work."
Migrants would also have to serve a five-year "probationary citizenship" before being allowed to apply for a passport. They could claim benefits a year or two later if they stayed out of trouble and did voluntary work. Those who fail to meet the rules or get into trouble would still get benefits and a place on the housing waiting list but would wait a few years longer, under the plans which are to be included in a new Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill, published next month.
Mr Woolas added: "It has been too easy for illegal immigrants to stay in this country. We have not counted them in and out." At the same time, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell used interviews to pledge tough action to make lone mothers and sickness benefit claimants prepare to get back to work.
"Virtually everyone will be doing something in return for their benefits," he said.
The action - which was revealed in the Standard last week - includes obliging claimants, including mothers with babies as young as one, to prepare for the day when they can get back to work.
The new polling research shown to ministers suggests Mr Purnell's strategy is popular with voters, with around eight out of 10 supporting the idea of attaching strings to welfare payments.
About three-quarters of voters support making claimants take part in work-related activity or accept a job that they are deemed capable of doing.
Half the public agreed that the partners of claimants should actively seek work once their youngest child is seven. Nine out of 10 backed moves to help sick people to stay in work rather than claim benefits, as well as drug treatment programmes for addicts on benefits.
Reader views (51)
heres a thought....according to 'Govt official figures' we have deported at least 25000 illegal immigrants a year over the last 12 years - roughly 300,000 people. Yet i have NEVER seen a single plane or boat being loaded up and flown or sailed off back to another country. So how do all these people get deported - and why do we not publiscise or show it on TV.....i guess because it doesn't actually happen!!
- Gary, amersham, 09/12/2008 09:31
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This is all a sham!
Do not be taken in by these weasel words!
labour will spout these anti-economic refugees ideas not policies until the next Election and then keep an open door policy to anyone as usual.
- John Corfield, London UK, 08/12/2008 17:13
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Not before time - IF Labour can be believed!
- Vince London, West London, 08/12/2008 17:06
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I seem to recall that everytime New Labour labour on about being tough on immigrants they fall foul of their own legislation. Somehow or other the Human Rights Act will not allow them to do this. Same rhetoric as Gordon's Darling talking to the BAnks. They can't be forced to do what is claimed. It's all mouth and gut wind.
- Alan, carlisle uk, 08/12/2008 16:53
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Just nonsense, New Labour spin.They must be planning a snap election.You're out then Jack.
- Martin, London, 08/12/2008 16:43
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sure we do need immigration but not wot labour has done its all about keeping wages down
- Stephen, london, 08/12/2008 16:41
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I be in a few days we will find out in the news that half a million immigrants who arrived in the last five years have already got the housing and benefits that Gordon brown is sayng they will prevent.. wait and see it always happens..
- Lisa, london, 08/12/2008 16:41
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The wording say's "UP TO" ten years--could that mean two years or less
- Robbo, Chichester. England, 08/12/2008 16:36
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Even the worst 'leaders' can make good decisions. Looks like Labour have latched onto a traditionally Tory approach as they did under Blair in his early years as leader. They really must be feeling the pinch in the polls to actually suggest doing something that voters want (as opposed to imposing socialist dogma on those voters). Next question, will they really do it? Or will they just talk about it and let it die off in committees when people become distracted by other topics of interest?
Better late than never, of course - but it would have been better to have avoided such need for action in the first place.
- Rogan, Irving, 08/12/2008 16:30
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I have always thought that what we need is a complete overhaul of the benefits system. Nobody (except the severely disabled) should have a right to benefits of any kind unless they have contributed for a minimum period. The likes of Karen Matthews are spongeing just as much as immigrants who come with the sole aim of living on benefits. Housing should be subject to strict contracts and reviewed periodically. As it is, people who have paid their way for years are losing their homes, while some who have never even loked for work have a God given right to subsidised housing for life.
Whichever party has the guts to confront the lobbies of 'caring people' on this issue, will have my vote. Not only because I am fed-up with being taxed to the hilt, but also because I genuinely believe that the present system is creating generations of wasted lives.
- Beatriz, London, 08/12/2008 16:19
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I will believe this when I see it - Labour are great at promising voter freindly policies that never materialise, announcing good news several times and 'burying' bad news. Sadly we cannot believe a word they say.
- Paul O'Dwyer, London, UK, 08/12/2008 16:12
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Yeah, right. I'll believe it when we hear of immigrants actually being turned away from council housing and benefit offices! A classic case of all show and no go.
Don't believe Woolas. New Labour - Old Labour. Their ideology has never changed.
- Peter Jones, Peterborough, 08/12/2008 16:09
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I think most of us will believe it when we see it.
- P I Staker, London, 08/12/2008 16:02
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Definitely a case of locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. Unpalatable as it may sound, an amnesty is the only real solution and then start again
- Stuart, London, 08/12/2008 15:45
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What you see on these boards are people who will never appreciate anything. No matter how positive it is they will quickly put a negative spin to it to make it look bad. We should be applauding these measures and not criticising them. The simple FACT is we have so many illegal immigrants in this country and NOBODY can do anything about it! I know many immigrants who have been in this country illegally for 20 years! Any solution needs to start somewhere.
- Sam, Southampton, 08/12/2008 15:29
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I have always thought that social security is a savings account built by people who contribute towards it and who rely on it during hard times, and not a freebee for all incendiary, especially not for those who have never paid a penny towards it. About time!!!!
- Shaf, LONDON, 08/12/2008 15:20
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Migrants from EU countries or elswhere should never get social housing or benefits..too many eastern europeans are stealing our jobs,it is not true to say they are returning home ,if they do they claim our child benefits there...i will never,ever vote for Labour again..they have ruined our island!!!!
- Jean, london.England, 08/12/2008 15:20
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Closing the gate after the horse has bolted, this labour Government should be tried for Treason, typical as ever, this labour party is good at spending other peoples money without a thought for the "Good Honest Citizens" who pay a fortune in taxation
- Nigel, LEICESTER, 08/12/2008 15:00
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Is the average member of the electorate now so stupid that they'll vote for Labour for (very belatedly) doing something about a problem, rather than kick them out because they created the same problem in the first place?
Possibly so, after a generation has been "educated" in the wreckage that Labour has made of our schools!
- Nigel, London, 08/12/2008 14:49
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I definitely do not back action to see immigrants having a 10-year benefit ban, independent research shows immigrants pay more into the U.K. system than they take out, this is just another cynical attempt by this “tory” labour government to scapegoat immigrants for the on going credit crunch, shame on this government for sinking into the gutter politics of division and despair
- Salman Mirza, Birmingham U.K., 08/12/2008 14:48
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Pull the other one, Phil Woolas.
Can you explain to us why your government has recently given leave to remain to over 200,000 illegal immigrants.
Woolas also knows darned well that this ruling won't apply to the others who enter Britain on an EU passport. This will include asylum seekers dumped on us by France, and the many illegals soft-headedly given an amnesty by Italy, etc.
- Jools, London, 08/12/2008 14:39
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If you're self employed (one man business)& lose your business, you can't claim any benefits for six months. But if you claim asylum you get benefits coming out of your ears. Where's the justice in that?
- Richard, Thame, 08/12/2008 14:38
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Hahahaha i just read this, Labour created the mess and now they try to suggest they didn't.
Labour have allowed this situation and they should be blamed for it.
- Jacqui, Hendon, 08/12/2008 14:06
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Another marketing campaign to win some votes, a desparate government on there knees, Was it Labour that used the song "Things can only get better" that can now be replaced by "oops we did it again" Time for a change come on Mr Cammeron inspire us
- Aly, Isle of WIght, 08/12/2008 13:58
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I couldn't have said it better myself Gary of Amersham! Benefits are not an automatic right, they are a privilege. All I do like many others, is put in the pot, whilst others make a career of sponging off everyone else.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 08/12/2008 13:51
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I agree with "DC, London". LIAbour will cheat and lie to do anything for votes. It's not rocket science to
stop the flood of unworthy benefit leaches - it should have happened when Blair was first elected, but that's sci-fi now. Another cowboy is in the saddle - with an equaly duff posse.
- Bryn Wayt, London, England, 08/12/2008 13:39
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Just a little a lot to late...thanks again labour for making an even bigger mess of this once beautiful country.
- Ed, London UK, 08/12/2008 13:32
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Good idea. Now backdate it 10 years and you may just get another term. Oh whats that you can't..... oh well the Tories can nab this policy then as they will get at least 2 terms in office maybe 3 as thats how long it will take this generation to forget how low new labour took GB PLC.
- P, London, England, 08/12/2008 13:21
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Labour created this mess and now they want credit for taking this stance, not likely! Its ironic they criticize and ban people from voting for the BNP yet here they are championing more of the BNP's policies.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 08/12/2008 13:18
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Yet more hollow rhetoric from this corrupt deceitful Government. We have heard it all before. Labour have had 11 years to deal with these 2 growing problems, but have completely ignored them. In fact they have positively encouraged both legal and illegal immigration, along with huge increases in the welfare state. And the real reason why they have failed to take any action is that some bright spark at Labour HQ worked out that such people are more were likely to vote for Labour than any other party out of pure gratitude. Now, of course, they realise that the white working classes are angry that they are being ignored and have been completely disenfranchised. This now exposes once ultra safe Labour seats to the growing support of parties, such as the BNP, who have been advocating restrictions on immigration for a number of years. Role on the next election.
- Paul, Banstead. Uk, 08/12/2008 12:59
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When I emigrated from Britain to the United States, one of the terms of my green card was that I was not eligible to claim benefits for three years, so it is about time Britain did the same, you cannot get off the plane or boat and ask where the nearest welfare center is.
- Graeme Brown, Austin, TX, 08/12/2008 12:58
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Another "popular" policy announced as an electoral drubbing lurks around the corner. Don't believe the spin.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 08/12/2008 12:38
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Well, so asylums seekers and Easter Europeans from teh EU will not be able to claim benefits for 10 years but legal immigrants who are inv8ited on teh Tier 1skileld immigration procedure who are needed and pay taxes will not be able to claim benefits yet people who pay no atxes liek asylums seekers will be able to clain. how sensible
- Miguel Vargas, London UK, 08/12/2008 12:37
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Strange how Mr. Woolas has only now decided to impliment the BNP's policies. Policies that have been held by the BNP the whole time Zanu Labour have been in power.
Nothing will be done of course but it sounds convincing enough to fool the sheeple in the run up to the general election. After all if you cut the benefits, who would vote labour?
- Jimbob, Kensington, 08/12/2008 12:35
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I smell an election in the air,talking tough on immigration, Jack Straw proposing to tighten the Human Rights Laws, typical crowd pleasers that will be ignored if they are re elected.
- William, Truro, UK, 08/12/2008 12:29
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To little too late, kick labour out. Obviously now clutching at straws to get future votes....Get back to the cause of the problem, actually im stopping writing now, its a lost cause!!!!.Just carry on raising my taxes to pay for this mess!!!
- Dc, London, 08/12/2008 12:12
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For 11 years Labour has opened our borders to immigration without precedent. If anyone now believes the "get tough on immigrants" rhetoric, I am surprised. Probably NuLabour pre-election soundbites - and have they checked that their proposals won't be trashed by the legal system? How do these proposals square with Harriet Harman's Equality Bill giving preference to "minorities"?
- Ab, London, 08/12/2008 12:09
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It will all be over turned by the 'uman Rights Act that Labour signed up to. Labour have successfully tied our hands, we have no say over these matters any more.
The minorities led by the Liberal-Lefties now run this country. The Democracy ideal is lost.
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 08/12/2008 12:00
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We've heard it all before.Many times.So boring.
Dont hold your breath folks.
- Ted, London, 08/12/2008 11:56
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good idea with good intentions, but please don't abuse people that genuinely need help, but we all know this will happen don't we,cause it's a great game to kick the weak, poor and the vornable when they are down.
- T.N., Bristol, 08/12/2008 11:47
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the money saved can be spent on better things like sending alot of these failed asylum seekers back home..... they've only just realised how sick of immigration we are!!!!!!!!!!
- Jonny, london, 08/12/2008 11:44
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Jack Straw will never come up with a system that works, the man is an unmitigating waste of space. It was Straw's time at the home office 11 years ago that set this country on a downward path to sick old Britain again. Now with 8 million people on welfare and up to 3 million Eastern Europeans looking for hand out with the 2 million alleged asylum seekers England is over whelmed with scroungers.
Now was it ethnic cleansing that the real Jack Straw and Nu-Ling-Labour really excelled in or what?
- Mike,, London, 08/12/2008 11:35
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Hilarious, how else can you describe something when someone admits to being wrong for so long, but now wants credit for doing something that should have been done in the first place. I don't like the Torys either, but this country needs a regime change from these buffoons.
- Ted, London UK, 08/12/2008 11:28
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why should anyone who has not contributed get anything? For far to long this country has supported millions of people - indigenous and immigrants, who have never paid a single penny into the NI system, yet expect to get handouts as some kind of right! Benefits are meant to be a safety net - not an alternative lifestyle.
- Gary, amersham, 08/12/2008 11:20
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11 years TOO late!!
- Fly, london, 08/12/2008 10:31
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This has come about 50 years too late.
No turning back the tide now
- Lb, London, 08/12/2008 10:20
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Yet another policy that will be kicked into touch by the HR Brigade at a huge cost to the taxpayer. Expect this "initiative" to be dropped and fade from view as quickly as it has materialised.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 08/12/2008 10:15
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Why stop at immigrants,if you do not work,you do not eat,end of story.
- Felicity Markham Forbes, Bagshot Surrey, 08/12/2008 10:14
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Its about time I for one am in total support of this idea. Labour need to win me over this would be a start.
- Pa, london, 08/12/2008 10:03
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about time too
- Alan Baker, essex .uk, 08/12/2008 10:02
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Unmitigated drivel - if you're here to work, you're contributing to the benefits system, so if you lose your job as far as I'm concerned you're entitled to benefits. The problem here is that, while on the surface it's a populist gesture, underneath they'll start with foreigners and then, as usual, extend it to the rest of us. See ID cards for similar tactics. There's no such thing as 'benefit scrounging scum' when you lose your job and find that the rules you thought were so good for them now apply to you.
- Tom, London, UK, 08/12/2008 10:01
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