EU: Free Movement of Labour

Lord Bilimoria Excerpts

Tuesday 11th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, the latter point referred to by the noble Baroness, Lady Morgan, is of course not part of government negotiations. It is something that may be proposed in the future in a manifesto. On her first point, on television this morning the Home Secretary made clear our commitment to ensure that the numbers are reduced.

[Lord Bilimoria (CB)]

My Lords—

[Lord Garel-Jones (Con)]

My Lords—

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con)]

If we are all very brief, we should be able to get in a question from the Cross Benches and a question from the Liberal Democrats.

[Lord Bilimoria]

My Lords, everyone would agree that we should clamp down on illegal immigration and those who come to take advantage of this country. However, is the Minister aware of a recent poll ranking the contributions of immigrant communities? One of the countries that came highest for a positive contribution was the Polish community, with 44%. On the other hand, the Bulgarians were on just 18%, although the Bulgarian ambassador pointed out that only 1,000 Bulgarians were on benefits. Why, then, do we not appreciate the contribution of immigrants from the European Community as well?

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, we do indeed appreciate the contribution of those who come from the EU to work here. The problem relates to those who come and decide that they will not work. That is why we made changes to the benefits system; that is why Germany is in the process of doing much the same.