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Welfare Reform Bill

As with the current income-related benefits, workers who come into the UK from other European Economic Area countries may be entitled to universal credit, but only if they meet stringent conditions. This ensures that the benefit tourist cannot take advantage of our benefits system. European Economic Area nationals who are neither in work nor seeking work will not generally be able to access universal credit. They will be required to be self-sufficient while they remain in the UK. Let me stand back generally. This is not currently a stable area of EU law and we are watching it very closely for the reason that the noble Baroness raised.