THE EUROPEAN Union is trying to change Britain's habitual residence test, which controls benefit claims by new arrivals. Currently entrants from the European Economic Area – the countries of the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein – will fail a “right to reside” test and not be eligible for benefits if they are without a job or are not dependents of a worker or self employed person.
The European Commission says this test is discriminatory and should be removed. ■