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Welfare system should be fair and debate about EU migrants free of political rhetoric

25 Mawrth 2013

Citizens Advice responds to the Prime Minister’s announcement that  EU migrants will lose unemployment benefits after six months if they haven’t found a job.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive at national charity Citizens Advice said:

"The welfare safety net exists for a good reason - to help people in desperate situations get back onto their feet.  Citizens Advice Bureaux work tirelessly to make sure that people who are eligible for benefits get the support they need.  It's important that the welfare system is fair, but politicians must be careful not to encourage myths or misconceptions about who benefits most from the welfare system.

"EU migrants are more likely to be in work and less likely to claim benefits than British residents.  Overall, they are net contributors to the economy, putting in much more than they take out. These plain facts must not be obscured by political rhetoric."

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.