A "more robust" test for migrants who want to claim income-related benefits is being rolled out at jobcentres across Wales, England and Scotland this week.
The new habitual residence test is part of the Government's plan to ensure that only migrants who have a legal right to be in the UK, and plan to contribute to this country, can make a claim for benefits.
In order to pass the test, migrants will have to answer more individually tailored questions, provide more detailed answers, and submit more evidence before they will be allowed to make a claim.
For the first time migrants will be quizzed about what efforts they have made to find work before coming to the UK and whether their English language skills will be a barrier to them finding employment.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith said: "It is vitally important that we have strict rules in place to protect the integrity of our benefits system.
"The British public are rightly concerned that migrants should contribute to this country and not be drawn here by the attractiveness of our benefits system. And we are taking action to ensure that that is the case.
"The roll-out of the new habitual residence test is the first in a series of measures to ensure that we have a fair system: one which provides support for genuine workers and jobseekers, but does not allow people to come to our country and take advantage. It is a crucial part of our long-term plan to secure Britain's economy."
Labour's shadow welfare minister Chris Bryant said: "For generations, people have come to this country and worked hard to contribute to Britain, but the principle of contribution is an important one, and the controls on immigration must be fair to those who live here.
"That is why Labour called for stronger restrictions on benefits for new arrivals from the EU, including proposals eight months ago to strengthen the habitual residence test to make it clear that people should not be able to claim benefits when they first arrive.
"At the time, the Government dismissed those proposals, but eight months later they have changed their minds and keep re-announcing their proposals.
"Yet the Government are still doing nothing to tackle the serious problem of low-skilled migrant workers being exploited, undercutting local workers and responsible businesses too. That is bad for everyone, yet they are doing nothing about it."
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