Help removed for European refugees

Individuals with citizenship or refugee status
in other European Union states who try to claim support in the UK
from local authorities could be refused assistance under new
proposals.

Under
an amendment to the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, such
individuals will be refused assistance and given the means to
return to their own country.

Those
with children and special care needs will receive short-term
assistance, and where families with children refuse to leave, the
children will be offered places in care but no support will be
given to the adults.

Home
secretary David Blunkett said: “I am determined to put in place the
structure to deal with individuals who come to this country with
the sole aim of defrauding and abusing our system.”

The
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill was due to receive its
House of Commons report stage and third reading earlier this
week.