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Migration 'brake' won't work, say critics on both sides of EU divide Migration 'brake' won't work, say critics on both sides of EU divide
(7 months later)
Downing Street is facing criticism from both sides of the EU referendum debate, who claim the “emergency brake” would have no impact on migration as No 10 struggles to define how the measure would be used.Downing Street is facing criticism from both sides of the EU referendum debate, who claim the “emergency brake” would have no impact on migration as No 10 struggles to define how the measure would be used.
David Cameron’s deputy spokesman said many details still had to be worked out when asked how much the mechanism would reduce migration, whether it would apply to EU citizens already in the UK or affect the household claims of British nationals who marry EU migrants.David Cameron’s deputy spokesman said many details still had to be worked out when asked how much the mechanism would reduce migration, whether it would apply to EU citizens already in the UK or affect the household claims of British nationals who marry EU migrants.
“We have a deal on the table and there is clearly some detail still to be filled in, and that is what we are doing over the next couple of weeks,” the aide said.“We have a deal on the table and there is clearly some detail still to be filled in, and that is what we are doing over the next couple of weeks,” the aide said.
Related: Migrant benefits limit is sideshow in EU debate, says Alan Johnson
Asked if it could affect the tax credit claims of British nationals, such as those married to EU citizens, the spokesman added: “The key point on this is that if you read the draft proposals, it is clear it is about EU migrants coming to this country rather than UK nationals. We are working through some of the detail now. It is specifically designed to deal with the concerns of the British people.”Asked if it could affect the tax credit claims of British nationals, such as those married to EU citizens, the spokesman added: “The key point on this is that if you read the draft proposals, it is clear it is about EU migrants coming to this country rather than UK nationals. We are working through some of the detail now. It is specifically designed to deal with the concerns of the British people.”
Addressing criticism of the emergency brake, Downing Street said it believed the package would reduce the desire to come to the UK, as migrant families were currently able to claim an average of £6,000 a year in tax credits and approximately 10,000 were claiming £10,000 or more.Addressing criticism of the emergency brake, Downing Street said it believed the package would reduce the desire to come to the UK, as migrant families were currently able to claim an average of £6,000 a year in tax credits and approximately 10,000 were claiming £10,000 or more.
However, the emergency brake mechanism was dismissed as a “sideshow” by Alan Johnson, leader of Labour’s in campaign, on Thursday.However, the emergency brake mechanism was dismissed as a “sideshow” by Alan Johnson, leader of Labour’s in campaign, on Thursday.
Asked whether it mattered if the brake would cut immigration, Johnson told the BBC’s Today programme: “It was never going to do that … The issue of in-work benefits isn’t a draw factor … There are all kinds of factors why people choose to move around Europe. I don’t think that [in-work benefits] is one of them.Asked whether it mattered if the brake would cut immigration, Johnson told the BBC’s Today programme: “It was never going to do that … The issue of in-work benefits isn’t a draw factor … There are all kinds of factors why people choose to move around Europe. I don’t think that [in-work benefits] is one of them.
“This is a sideshow. The sideshow is almost out of the way and then we can get on with the real issues about the EU. As far as Ukip are concerned, we are not frightened to face up to this ‘fear of others’ argument they make.”“This is a sideshow. The sideshow is almost out of the way and then we can get on with the real issues about the EU. As far as Ukip are concerned, we are not frightened to face up to this ‘fear of others’ argument they make.”
On the other side, David Davis, the Eurosceptic Tory MP and former shadow home secretary, said the brake would not work because the main pull factor for migrants is wages rather than benefits.On the other side, David Davis, the Eurosceptic Tory MP and former shadow home secretary, said the brake would not work because the main pull factor for migrants is wages rather than benefits.
“The prime minister’s emergency brake on migrant benefits would not stop a push bike,” he said in a speech in Westminster. “And we now discover we would have to ask Brussels’s permission to even use it.“The prime minister’s emergency brake on migrant benefits would not stop a push bike,” he said in a speech in Westminster. “And we now discover we would have to ask Brussels’s permission to even use it.
“In any case, the whole concept of an emergency brake is flawed. Migrants are coming to Britain from Eastern Europe not to claim benefits but to earn more money.“In any case, the whole concept of an emergency brake is flawed. Migrants are coming to Britain from Eastern Europe not to claim benefits but to earn more money.
“My figures show that they can readily earn three to four times as much working in low-skilled jobs in Britain. No amount of tinkering with our welfare rules will make a blind bit of difference to immigration numbers and the prime minister is being disingenuous to pretend otherwise.”“My figures show that they can readily earn three to four times as much working in low-skilled jobs in Britain. No amount of tinkering with our welfare rules will make a blind bit of difference to immigration numbers and the prime minister is being disingenuous to pretend otherwise.”
Related: The Guardian view on the EU debate: time to speak for Britain | Editorial
The debate about the emergency brake comes as Cameron prepares to meet the European council president, Donald Tusk, who proposed the package.The debate about the emergency brake comes as Cameron prepares to meet the European council president, Donald Tusk, who proposed the package.
They will talk on the margins of a Syria donor conference in London, where the prime minister is also scheduled to see Slovak PM Robert Fico, Greek leader Alexis Tsipras, Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven and Belgian PM Charles Michel. He was later due to meet the European parliament president, Martin Schulz, at No 10.They will talk on the margins of a Syria donor conference in London, where the prime minister is also scheduled to see Slovak PM Robert Fico, Greek leader Alexis Tsipras, Swedish prime minister Stefan Löfven and Belgian PM Charles Michel. He was later due to meet the European parliament president, Martin Schulz, at No 10.
In a good sign for Cameron, the French president, François Hollande, offered a cautious welcome for the reforms. “We want the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union,” Hollande said.In a good sign for Cameron, the French president, François Hollande, offered a cautious welcome for the reforms. “We want the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union,” Hollande said.
The prime minister received more helpful news when Justine Greening, the Eurosceptic international development secretary, indicated that she would campaign to remain in the EU.The prime minister received more helpful news when Justine Greening, the Eurosceptic international development secretary, indicated that she would campaign to remain in the EU.
Greening told Today: “As Theresa May said, I agree with her that I think this is a good basis for a deal and at that stage we will start the debate on whether Britain should stay in or leave the EU. I happen to agree with the prime minister, this a good deal. I hope we can seal the deal when he goes to Brussels later this month.Greening told Today: “As Theresa May said, I agree with her that I think this is a good basis for a deal and at that stage we will start the debate on whether Britain should stay in or leave the EU. I happen to agree with the prime minister, this a good deal. I hope we can seal the deal when he goes to Brussels later this month.
“The compromise that has been found will likely allow us to find solutions to problems that until now seemed difficult to resolve. But at the European council there can be no new adjustments or new negotiations.”“The compromise that has been found will likely allow us to find solutions to problems that until now seemed difficult to resolve. But at the European council there can be no new adjustments or new negotiations.”
Downing Street may also be encouraged by continuing divisions in the leave campaign, which is struggling to find a big political figure to lead it.Downing Street may also be encouraged by continuing divisions in the leave campaign, which is struggling to find a big political figure to lead it.