John Baron MP backs proposals to stop child benefit payments outside Britain

MP sponsors Ten-Minute Rule Bill

Today in the House of Commons, John Baron MP supported a Ten-Minute Rule Bill proposed by Philip Hollobone MP. The Bill is intended to render ineligible children of EU nationals working in Britain from receiving UK child benefit and tax credit payments if the children live abroad. At the moment, around £30m in such payments is paid out each year to children not resident in the UK, on the grounds one or both of their parents are working in Britain.

The Bill was passed by acclamation in the House of Commons, with John as one of its sponsors. It is due to have its Second Reading on 6th March 2015.

John said,

“It is a nonsense that UK child benefit and tax credits can be collected for children not even resident in Britain. British regulations prevent this, but are currently overruled by EU legislation. The time has come to set the record straight – this Bill is a step in the right direction.”