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ECJ rules benefits can be denied to jobless migrants

The European Court of Justice has ruled benefits can be denied to jobless migrants if they have never held a job in that country.

Dubbed "benefits tourism", it has occurred in many EU countries for some time.

But today Germany won the right to refuse to pay a Romanian woman and her son benefits on that basis.

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Tory MEP: Benefits tourism ECJ ruling 'common sense'

A Tory MEP has said that The European Court of Justice has ruled in favour of common sense in restricting so-called "benefits tourism".

The European Court of Justice has ruled in favour of common sense. The court has made it clear that the original purpose of free movement is to allow free movement of labour and not of benefits tourists.

If people cannot support themselves or make a meaningful contribution to the economy then they can have their benefits curbed, even if they are non-contributory benefits.

– Tory MEP Anthea McIntyre and employment spokeswoman

The case involved a Romanian woman and her son who had been denied access to certain benefits under the German system.

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