'Right to reside' proceedings row

MEP Paul Nuttall

European Commission proposals to put Britain in the dock over its attempts to limit benefits payments to migrants have been slammed by MEP Paul Nuttall.

"They are at it again, telling the UK what it can and cannot do. We must put a stop to this and the only way we can properly safeguard British taxpayers’ money is by leaving the EU.

"In this country we have the “right to reside” test which European Union migrants must pass before they can claim benefits in this country.

"That is what we in Britain feel is right yet the Commission has said it is taking us to European Court of Justice because that test is 'discriminatory' as British citizens do not have to pass it.

"Migrants should not be able to take from our generous benefits system without first paying into it. That is not unreasonable and we must fight the proceedings," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

"And if that wasn't bad enough it has now been admitted that the UK will give an extra £800 million to the EU budget this year because this country’s economy is outperforming other member states.

"That alone demonstrates why the whole concept the European Union is fatally flawed and we must leave," added Mr Nuttall, MEP for the North West.