BRITAIN is being forced to let eastern European immigrants claim full benefits under an EU ruling.
Restrictions which stopped foreign workers receiving handouts straight away will be lifted in May.
Britain insisted on the ban in 2004 when we opened our borders to eight former Soviet bloc countries.
Strict rules meant they had to work here for a year before they were eligible for payouts.
But Brussels says the UK must scrap the restriction, which will leave about 100,000 migrants free to start raking in Jobseekers? Allowance, council tax and housing benefits worth up to ?250 a week.
There are fears so-called ?benefit tourists?, many of them gypsies from poorer nations, will flock here to cash in.
MEP Nigel Farage of the UK Independence Party said: ?I?m absolutely furious. It?s about time this Government stood up for taxpayers rather than giving in to Brussels all the time.?
The rules mean immigrants will no longer have to join the Working Registration Scheme.
The Department for Work and Pensions said: ?We have to remain in line with our national and international obligations.?
Immigration Minister Damian Green said the May changeover means more migrants could head for Germany and Austria as they relax their rules too.
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Daily Star: Simply The Best 7 Days A Week :: News :: EU allows migrants to get full benefits
Restrictions which stopped foreign workers receiving handouts straight away will be lifted in May.
Britain insisted on the ban in 2004 when we opened our borders to eight former Soviet bloc countries.
Strict rules meant they had to work here for a year before they were eligible for payouts.
But Brussels says the UK must scrap the restriction, which will leave about 100,000 migrants free to start raking in Jobseekers? Allowance, council tax and housing benefits worth up to ?250 a week.
There are fears so-called ?benefit tourists?, many of them gypsies from poorer nations, will flock here to cash in.
MEP Nigel Farage of the UK Independence Party said: ?I?m absolutely furious. It?s about time this Government stood up for taxpayers rather than giving in to Brussels all the time.?
The rules mean immigrants will no longer have to join the Working Registration Scheme.
The Department for Work and Pensions said: ?We have to remain in line with our national and international obligations.?
Immigration Minister Damian Green said the May changeover means more migrants could head for Germany and Austria as they relax their rules too.
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Daily Star: Simply The Best 7 Days A Week :: News :: EU allows migrants to get full benefits
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