EU immigrant in the UK
Immigrant in the UK most important informations
Most EU immigrants work legally in the UK. They contribute to the government treasury much more that they receive. Immigrants are considered really hardworking, very often well-qualified but unfortunately cheap workforce. Because of these reasons, at least they should have their rights to receive benefits. Even a few years ago, British citizens started their complaining about the fact that immigrants are dominating the UK that a vast number of them are unemployed and they live on welfare, or that immigrants are “stealing” their workplaces.
In general, a lot of British citizens have been deprived of many benefits since the influx of immigrants begun. Nevertheless, James Cameron is aware of the fact that without immigrants, British economy would not be as powerful as it is now. Due to this issue, the Prime Minister cannot allow the United Kingdom to leave European Union, but in order to meet British citizen’s expectations; he had to take some actions. Last year, David Cameron negotiated new rules regarding to immigrant’s right to benefits.
What you should know as an Immigrant in the UK
“New immigrants” who have lived in the UK since March 2015, are unable to claim any benefits until they are employed. The other restriction is that if they want to be paid any benefits, they have to hired and live in the UK at least three months. After that time, they are allowed to receive three types of benefits: Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits. There should be added that the first one is only for unemployed people who are looking for a job actively. However, keep in mind that being an immigrant, if you have already arrived to the UK, and you have no job, you are not entitled to receive this benefit. At least, three months of living in the UK are required.
Previously, new arriving immigrants were entitled to get: working tax credit, tax child credit, child benefit and housing benefit. Why is to so? There were immigrants who once have come to the UK with their children, they found a job paid the minimum wage, which was £200 a week and then claimed for the other £330 a week received in benefits. Now, none of these immigrants can be paid up to four years. Moreover, Bulgarian and Romanian immigrants used a loophole in British law to avoid paying taxes. They just pay taxes in their home state; it would not be a problem, if the tax rates in their countries were not incomparably lower than the British rates. These restrictions are imposed on immigrants in order to save the benefit system in the UK, and discourage those whose no intention is to contribute British economy.
Those immigrants who had arrived to the UK before March 2015 they are allowed to claim benefits on the previous rules. In general, all legally working immigrants pay the same taxes as British people do, including National Insurance. Any unfair practices should be really limited. These anti-immigration actions are acceptable and justified unless immigrants who really contribute the British economy are disadvantaged. As the most people who arrived to the UK are happy that there is a place where their work is appreciated, and adequately rewarded. Indeed, they do not protest against paying taxes. As an immigrant in the UK you can find all potentially useful information here.