tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704899696538705849.post3353375869087023918..comments2024-03-28T02:32:17.979-07:00Comments on EU Law Analysis: Benefits for unemployed EU citizens: the CJEU may complicate David Cameron’s renegotiation strategy Steve Peershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05869161329197244113noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704899696538705849.post-34097969602885800512015-03-26T08:57:42.242-07:002015-03-26T08:57:42.242-07:00Let me start by saying I am a British citizen born...Let me start by saying I am a British citizen born and bred, and IMHO Cameron's proposed renegotiation is rather pointless from the point of view of UK public finances. Taking each group as a whole immigrants from the rest of the EU are contributing far more than they are taking out, whereas the reverse is true for UK natives. Any abuse of the benefits system by EU immigrants is a drop in the ocean. Nonetheless Cameron has his ridiculous posturing on immigration which must somehow be appeased. <br /><br />However could they not make the UK benefits system more contributory, thus meaning that in practice everyone who has paid enough in will receive benefits of whichever level. The rule would apply equally to all EU citizens (including UK) but would mean that these arguments about benefits abuse could be put to rest. My understanding is that in mainland EU the benefits systems are more contributory than ours, and are compatible with EU law. Would that work?Johnnoreply@blogger.com