Migrants from Europe will have to leave Britain if they don’t get a job within six months, and must work for four years before receiving some benefits, Prime Minister David Cameron announced Friday, in a carefully balanced speech designed to defuse domestic criticism of his immigration policies while averting a showdown with the European Union.
Immigration has become an increasingly bitter issue in Britain since the 2008 economic crisis sparked recession and government spending cuts.
The right-wing U.K. Independence Party has gained growing support with calls to curb migration and leave the EU, which allows citizens of its 28 countries to live and work across the bloc.
The BBC’s Rob Watson joins Here & Now’s Peter O’Dowd with details.
Note: This BBC interview can be heard in the Here & Now podcast or with the WBUR app.
Guest
- Rob Watson, U.K. political correspondent for BBC World Service. He tweets @robwatsonbbc.
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