claiming benefits in Britain for their kids abroad

[d000hg]

687 children. £500k a year. In other words, it's not actually a problem other than to idealists.

[northernladuk]

687 children. £500k a year. In other words, it's not actually a problem other than to idealists.

Indeed but it would be interesting to see what the year on year growth is. Not a problem this year but going forward it could be. Anything linked to migration could have the potential to snowball extremely quickly once everyone gets wind.

[d000hg]

True - but typically it seems closing loopholes is only done when it becomes worthwhile. Same with tax loopholes I suppose - if fixing it costs more than the damage being done then pragmatically why bother.

[diseasex]

True - but typically it seems closing loopholes is only done when it becomes worthwhile. Same with tax loopholes I suppose - if fixing it costs more than the damage being done then pragmatically why bother.

its easy to scare with immigrants stealing jobs etc and winning elections thanks to that. Thats all it is. It has 0 reason to be a headline, there are other bigger problems like starbucks or facebook not paying millions CT

[SueEllen]

It matters a great deal. If the children are in the UK, then the UK pays for their schooling and healthcare in addition to child allowance. They should change the law so that if you are an immigrant working in the UK, you should only get child allowance if you don't bring your kids with you.

Not allowed to do that as it discriminates against EU citizens.

They can however change the law so that you can only have benefits if your kids are physically present in the UK AND you have been working in the UK for 2 years or have you been a UK resident for over 10 years a gap of less than 12 months in any 5 year period.....

Other EU countries do similar things - so it's only fair.