Overview

The Benefits and Public Services (Restriction) Bill aims to restrict access to publicly funded benefits and services for non-UK citizens. It introduces requirements for declarations of nationality, limits benefit amounts and duration, and mandates data collection on benefit payments to non-UK EU/EEA citizens.

Description

This bill significantly alters the access of non-UK citizens to benefits and services in the UK. Key aspects include:

Nationality Declarations

All applicants for benefits or services must provide a declaration of nationality from the bill's effective date.

Benefit Entitlement for Non-UK Dependants

Non-UK EU/EEA citizens will only be eligible for housing benefit or council tax benefit in England and Wales if their entitlement stems from being a spouse or dependant of a UK citizen.

Benefit Amount Restrictions

No UK public benefit will be paid to a foreign national at a rate exceeding the equivalent benefit in their home country.

Service Provision Restrictions

Publicly funded services will only be provided to foreign nationals if the equivalent service would be provided in their home country.

Contribution-Based Entitlement

Access to benefits and services for foreign nationals will be contingent on a minimum two-year contribution period, with benefit payments limited to six months within any two-year period.

Information Collection

The Secretary of State must collect and publish data on the number and cost of benefits received by non-UK EU/EEA citizens.

Government Spending

The bill is expected to reduce government spending on benefits and public services provided to non-UK citizens. Precise figures are not provided in the bill itself and would depend on the number of individuals affected.

Groups Affected

The bill will primarily affect:

• Non-UK citizens residing in the UK: Their access to benefits and public services will be significantly restricted.
• Dependants of UK citizens from the EU/EEA: Eligibility for certain benefits will be narrowed.
• UK Government: Responsible for implementing the changes and collecting/publishing related data.

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