generalspeaking

One Big Happy EU Fambly

A Brussels-based European Union official, Amadeu Atafaj Tardio, the EU's economic affairs spokesman took grave offence when, during a BBC broadcast, he was called an "idiot" in discussions revolving around the eurozone debt crisis. Imagine, calling anyone associated with the EU governing body an idiot; most uncivilized.

And from that little tidbit, to the European Commission threatening to take legal action against Britain. It has taken great umbrage at Britain's move to curtail spending on welfare in support of foreign citizens coming into Britain - as is their right under the free flow of people belonging to EU countries - and claiming their right to welfare.

Some of them are termed out-of-work "benefit tourists". Foreign citizens who would most enjoy the opportunity to migrate from country to country, with no intention of working, but with every intention of seeking out the most generous social programs accessible in various EU countries. They have never paid taxes in those countries, but under EU rules, benefits should prevail.

Britain's rules on welfare are claimed by the European Commission to be unfair, discriminatory against foreigners. For Britain, despite its much-vaunted relaxed and generous social programs has in place a "right to reside" test, which is an effective pre-requisite to being allowed payments. According to the Commission, Britain must relent and accept EU rules.

"Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the U.K. to the EU's Court of Justice", it warned, giving Britain two months to comply with the EU standard. Britain is loathe to do so, understandably, particularly at a time of fiscal restraint, when it is pulling in its welfare belt, and recognizing that what the Commission insists on imposing upon it will cost its budget an additional $2.5-billion annually.

The European Council uses the polite euphemism of "economically inactive" instead of unemployed. If the European Court of Justice decides to support the demands of the European Commission it will effectively create an open-ended situation where scofflaws will get the go-ahead to proceed with moving between EU member states for the specific purpose of claiming benefits.

Claiming benefits, to be precise, when there is no intention whatever on the part of claimants to seek work or contributing in any useful manner to the member state. Needless to say, Britain is none too thrilled with the European Commission's insistence on nudging Britain's autonomy over into the EU's sphere of influence.

"These new proposals pose a fundamental challenge to the UK's social contract. They could mean the British taxpayer paying out over $2.5-billion extra a year in benefits to people who have no connection to our country and who have never paid in a penny in tax."

Right-O, chappies.

Labels: Britain, Economy, European Union

posted by Pieface @ Saturday, October 01, 2011