Overview

This bill aims to restrict access to taxpayer-funded benefits for non-UK citizens from the European Union and European Economic Area (EEA). It proposes changes to benefit entitlement based on nationality, dependants' status, benefit amounts, and claimant contributions.

Description

The key provisions of the Benefit Entitlement (Restriction) Bill are:

• Declaration of Nationality: Applicants for a national insurance number or taxpayer-funded benefits must declare their nationality.
• Dependants: Non-UK EU/EEA citizens are only eligible for housing benefit or council tax benefit in England and Wales if they are spouses or dependants of a UK citizen.
• Amount of Benefit: Benefits paid to EU/EEA citizens cannot exceed the equivalent benefit payable in their home country.
• Claimant's Contribution: Benefits are only payable to EU/EEA citizens if their entitlement stems from insurance-based contributions they have made.

The bill overrides certain provisions of the European Communities Act 1972.

Government Spending

The bill is expected to reduce government spending on benefits by an unspecified amount. The exact financial impact will depend on the number of affected individuals and the level of benefits they currently receive. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Non-UK EU/EEA citizens: These individuals could experience restrictions on their access to various benefits, such as housing benefit and council tax benefit. The impact will vary depending on their individual circumstances and the specific benefits they claim.
• UK citizens with EU/EEA spouses or dependants: The eligibility of their spouses or dependants for certain benefits may be affected.
• Local authorities: These bodies will need to implement the new rules and may face administrative challenges.

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