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Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Deighton (Conservative) on Monday, 25 February 2013.

Benefits

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what grounds they pay child benefit and child tax credit to European Union nationals in the United Kingdom for children left behind in European Union states; which and what proportion of European Union member states do not pay for the children of resident United Kingdom nationals left behind in the United Kingdom; whether such payments are requirements of EC Regulation 883/2004; and whether they will support a modification of the amounts paid to reflect the cost of living in the country where a child is resident or the equivalent rate.[HL5252]

Answer

Child benefit and child tax credit is intended to help families in the UK. Generally, therefore, it is not payable in respect of children resident outside the UK. However, both child benefit and the child tax credit are classed as “family benefits” under the EC social security co-ordinating Regulations (EC Regulation 883/2004 and 987/2009) which the UK has administered since it joined the European Economic Community in 1973 and is payable to EEA nationals in respect of members of their family resident in another member state.

The EC Regulations are directly applicable to all member states in equal measure. Nationals of other EEA member states who are working in the UK and paying compulsory UK national insurance contributions are entitled to claim UK family benefits in respect of children living in another member state. Similarly, UK nationals working and paying social security contributions in another member state are entitled to that member state’s family benefits in respect of their children resident in the UK.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
743 c192WA; HL5252
Session
2012-13
Subjects
Child tax credit Child benefit British nationals abroad EU countries EU nationals
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk