European court backs British benefit restrictions
Judges uphold UK plan to deny child benefit and child tax credits to EU migrants without residency rights
European judges have rejected an appeal challenging Britain's right to deny some European Union migrants access to child benefit and child tax credits - a decision that could have wide-ranging implications for other EU member states.
What was the case about?
The challenge was brought by the European Commission, which argued Britain's decision to impose a right of residence test on those trying to access certain family benefits "amounted to direct discrimination against citizens of other EU member states", says The Guardian.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Why did the judges rule against the EC?
The European Court of Justice [ECJ] agreed "that it was lawful for the UK to withhold benefits to migrants if they did not have the right to reside in the UK", says The Independent. Such "unequal treatment" was justified on the basis of "protecting a member state's finances".
Marley Morris, from the Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank, said the ruling was a sign that the court was more prepared to give national governments freedom to interpret European treaties.
"This is another sign that [the ECJ] is becoming more sympathetic to the UK's interpretation of free movement rules," he said.
What impact will this have on the EU referendum?
The decision, which will be greeted with "profound relief" by David Cameron and the Remain camp, is important to the EU referendum debate "because it strengthens the argument that future reforms to free movement and welfare rules will not be rolled back by the EU courts", says the Independent.
Pro-EU campaigners "may now be breathing a large sigh of relief", says BBC political correspondent Theo Leggett, but for the Leave group, "the judgment also reminds voters that aspects of the UK's welfare system are subject to EU law", says the Independent.
Vote Leave said it was "absurd that the UK had to run every nut and bolt of domestic policy" past a court in Luxembourg.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Why au pairs might become a thing of the past
Under The Radar Brexit and wage ruling are threatening the 'mutually beneficial arrangement'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Brexit: where we are four years on
The Explainer Questions around immigration, trade and Northern Ireland remain as 'divisive as ever'
By The Week UK Published
-
Is it time for Britons to accept they are poorer?
Today's Big Question Remark from Bank of England’s Huw Pill condemned as ‘tin-eared’
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Is Brexit to blame for the current financial crisis?
Talking Point Some economists say leaving the EU is behind Britain’s worsening finances but others question the data
By The Week Staff Published
-
How Brexit handed a ‘financial boon’ to former Soviet state Estonia
In Depth Around 4,000 companies have set up shop in member state since UK left EU, prime minister says
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why the UK is suffering a Walkers crisps shortage
feature Production issues have forced snack giant to prioritise most popular varieties
By Kate Samuelson Published
-
U.K. is experiencing panic-driven gas shortages tied to Brexit
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
‘Not Greggs too’: can the government fix food shortages before Christmas?
Today's Big Question Supply-chain issues leave supermarkets and restaurants unable to serve up favourite goods
By Sorcha Bradley Last updated