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Tim Ireland/PA Wire
UK News

EU proposals make migrants 'second class citizens', says Christian think tank

by Aaron James

The Jubilee Centre was speaking after the European Council President Donald Tusk announced a raft of proposals to renegotiate Britain's relationship with Europe.

It includes an "emergency brake" on giving EU migrants in-work benefits for four years, if a country can show it's welfare system is under significant strain.

The document suggests that rather than an outright ban, the in-work benefits will be gradually phased in over the four-year period.

It is also unclear what will constitute excessive strain on a country's welfare system.

However Guy Brandon, from the Jubilee Centre, said that the attempt to restrict migrants who are working hard and attempting to integrate into British life from claiming in-work benefits is unbiblical and unfair.

Speaking on Premier's News Hour, he said: "You do have a two tier system. You could have two people living next door. Same street, exactly the same work, same company. One is eligible for benefits one is not."

He suggested the proposal doesn't follow the Biblical perspective on how we should treat 'outsiders'.

The principle is 'be good to the alien, the immigrant because you were aliens in Egypt'," he said. "The sense is if someone comes to the country, if they jump in with two feet, they work, they contribute to the economy - well you treat them like anyone else."

Also proposed is a "red card" system, which will allow countries to veto EU laws if 55 percent of the union's parliaments (for example, the House of Commons and House of Lords count as one each) agree.

Other proposals include a statement in law for the first time that the euro is not the EU's only currently, that non-eurozone countries do not have to bail out countries using the euro, and that Britain will not have to engage in "ever-closer union" aiming for "a common destination".

Eurosceptics have criticised the proposed reforms, saying they do not adequately address the fact EU laws still trump British laws, and the free movement of people which means Britain effectively has no borders within a certain area.

PA

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I think we will be able to show - if we can secure what's in this document, finish off the details and improve it still further - that on balance Britain is better off, more secure, more prosperous, has a better chance of success for all of our families and all our people inside this reformed European Union.

"I think this is the best of both worlds - out of the single currency, out of the no-borders agreement, out of an ever-closer union, but in the things that work for Britain, that give us jobs, that give us security, that give us the ability to make sure we have a stronger and safer world.

"I think that's something worth fighting for."

A key European Council summit is to be held on February 18-19th, where today's proposals could come closer to being finalised.

If they are, it's possible Britain could vote on whether to stay in or leave the EU by Summer 2016.

Listen to Premier's Aaron James speaking to Guy Brandon on the News Hour.

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