British PM David Cameron. Photo by EPA/BGNES
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has revealed that newcomers to the country are to be banned from claiming legal aid in cases involving benefits, housing and other civil claims.
The measure is expected to become the first step in wide-ranging regulations to curb immigrants from getting immediate access to public services and benefits.
"We're a fair country and a welcoming country, but not a soft touch," Cameron said in an interview with the Daily Express. "Let's make sure that ours is the toughest country instead of the softest."
"I think there is more we can do," he added. "One of the aspects that we are reaching fairly early conclusion on is that we can no longer grant legal aid to non-UK nationals or for civil cases, people who are facing housing cases or benefit cases.
"We need a proper residency test for those cases and we're going to consult on introducing one."