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Nick Clegg "draws the line" against EU migrant curbs Nick Clegg 'draws the line' against EU migrant curbs
(about 1 hour later)
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said he "draws the line" against moves to curb immigration from the EU.Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said he "draws the line" against moves to curb immigration from the EU.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Clegg said curbs on migrants' benefit rights were "sensible" but plans for a cap of 75,000 on EU migrants were "pointless".Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Clegg said curbs on migrants' benefit rights were "sensible" but plans for a cap of 75,000 on EU migrants were "pointless".
Meanwhile, Bulgaria's president has criticised UK politicians who "play on people's fears" over immigration.Meanwhile, Bulgaria's president has criticised UK politicians who "play on people's fears" over immigration.
Restrictions on movement of Bulgarians and Romanians within the EU are due to end at the beginning of next month.Restrictions on movement of Bulgarians and Romanians within the EU are due to end at the beginning of next month.
Measures to make EU migrants to the UK wait three months before they are eligible for out-of-work benefits and stop them claiming housing benefit until they have a job are planned by the coalition government.Measures to make EU migrants to the UK wait three months before they are eligible for out-of-work benefits and stop them claiming housing benefit until they have a job are planned by the coalition government.
'No-entry sign''No-entry sign'
These are intended to be in place by 1 January when restrictions on the movement on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals in the EU are lifted.These are intended to be in place by 1 January when restrictions on the movement on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals in the EU are lifted.
Mr Clegg said: "These are sensible and reasonable reforms that will help preserve the UK's open and welcoming nature."Mr Clegg said: "These are sensible and reasonable reforms that will help preserve the UK's open and welcoming nature."
He said if such rules were applied to Britons living abroad, they would be considered fair.He said if such rules were applied to Britons living abroad, they would be considered fair.
"But this is where we draw the line," he went on. "Talk of arbitrary caps on the number of EU nationals is as pointless as it is distracting.""But this is where we draw the line," he went on. "Talk of arbitrary caps on the number of EU nationals is as pointless as it is distracting."
He added: "Sticking a big no-entry sign on the cliffs of Dover may be politically popular, but at a huge economic cost.He added: "Sticking a big no-entry sign on the cliffs of Dover may be politically popular, but at a huge economic cost.
"What would happen if tonight every European living in the UK boarded a ship or plane and went home?"What would happen if tonight every European living in the UK boarded a ship or plane and went home?
"Are we really that keen to see the back of German lawyers, Dutch accountants or Finnish engineers? Do we want the NHS to fall over and the City of London to grind to a halt?""Are we really that keen to see the back of German lawyers, Dutch accountants or Finnish engineers? Do we want the NHS to fall over and the City of London to grind to a halt?"
Such a cap could lead to tit-for-tat restrictions on Britons living abroad, he said, and Britain would be "one step closer to the exit" from the EU, putting economic recovery at risk.Such a cap could lead to tit-for-tat restrictions on Britons living abroad, he said, and Britain would be "one step closer to the exit" from the EU, putting economic recovery at risk.
'Wise men''Wise men'
Meanwhile, in The Observer, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev called on UK politicians not to play on people's fears over immigration. Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev told the Observer that Britain should stay true to its legacy as "a great global power that pioneered integration" and not play on people's fears.
He said: "You see, of course, Great Britain will make its planning and will take its decisions. But some of them could be right, some of them could be wrong. Some of them are bold and some of them are, I would say, not long-term orientated decisions. "Isolating Britain and damaging Britain's reputation is not the right history to write," he said.
"You want to make a plan for a better future for your citizens in Great Britain. In the past 20 years immigrants in Great Britain contributed heavily to its prosperity, and that is a fact. He added: "Bulgarian people are raising a lot of questions today about the democratic, tolerant and humane British society. Are we in Great Britain today writing a history of a switch to isolation, nationalism and short-term political approaches?
"The only thing that is important is not to listen to populist politicians who play on people's fears but to listen to the wise men in Great Britain." "Of course, Great Britain will make its planning and will take its decisions. But some of them could be right, some of them could be wrong. Some of them are bold and some of them are, I would say, not long-term orientated decisions."
Earlier this week, Mr Clegg said a cap on the number of EU migrants to the UK would leave the NHS "in serious trouble". He said politicians should be "ready to say the inconvenient truth" and "fight for unpleasant but necessary decisions".
He also claimed it would damage the economy with the City of London "undermined overnight".