tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post9045709701753663818..comments2024-01-16T08:40:53.682+00:00Comments on <a href="http://www.openeurope.org.uk">Open Europe</a>: Germany's Bundestag votes in favour of stricter benefits rules for EU migrants OEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00556463374230498875noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-47004849841776651122014-11-10T12:14:38.215+00:002014-11-10T12:14:38.215+00:00This is irrelevant to the big potential future UK ...This is irrelevant to the big potential future UK bill of in work benefits to low income EU families. The term "benefit tourism" is very misleading since from what I can see EU migrants learn about in work benefits after they arrive. They may not be an incentive to come but they have to add to the incentive to stay and raise your family in the UK. No wonder the CBI is in favour of EU migration. You can recruit your Hungarian sandwich makers on minimum wage secure in the knowledge that UK tax payers will pick up much of the future cost. Richardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-5194082232246210682014-11-07T13:44:47.708+00:002014-11-07T13:44:47.708+00:00
One wonders what was the thinking in Germany behi...<br />One wonders what was the thinking in Germany behind this move?<br /><br />It could be that Germany is becoming increasingly aware and wary of the very mood that is so powerful here in UK. Throughout the Free Movement discussion (not there has been one), there have been two constants. First, that outwardly at least, 27 nations have scolded UK, saying it should be quiet and accept that the EU will not negotiate on Free Movement. Secondly, and possibly conversely, there is a grudging acknowledgement amongst the North EU states that there are problems around the disparately in the amounts of welfare benefits across EU states. <br /><br />So Germany is politely but firmly tightening up their benefit rules, but in a targeted way; the target being EU migrants from nations with less generous benefits systems. This does raise a wry smile in that Germany is doing what UK has been largely unable to do. However, as I said, it also raises the question of why? Could there be an breeze of disquiet in Germany that the Bundestag would rather prevent becoming a gale, similar to that which we have in UK? Is there an under-table-sympathy in Germany for the UK position? Or is it a complete lack of sympathy and instead a frown at our inability or unwillingness to actually do something.<br /><br />Less likely is that Germany is finally taking the UK threat to leave the EU seriously and is making changes in the face of EU migrants needing a different destination.<br /><br />One can hope.<br />David Hortonnoreply@blogger.com