Secretary of State calls for cooperation with UK regarding migrants

Rafal Trzaskowski, Poland's Secretary of State for European Affairs has challenged the UK's policy towards immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland. "Overall, migrant workers from EU countries are net contributors to the UK’s welfare system – they pay more in tax and contributions than they receive in social security benefits," said Trzaskowski. Data from The Independent shows that the contribution of immigrants from Eastern European Union members has amounted to approximately £5bn since 2000. "The proposals set out by Prime Minister Cameron could deprive EU migrants of the rights guaranteed to them by the EU rules," added Trzaskowski. EU migrants work and contribute to the British economy, pay taxes and contributions just as other British workers do, yet they do not have the same safety net. Trzaskowski believes this is a question of fairness. The Secretary of State said that Poland is fully committed to discussing the question of fraudulent welfare claims.