Poland tells citizens to claim British benefits before leaving the UK

The Polish government is encouraging some of its citizens living in Britain to claim UK unemployment benefits before returning home.

Guidance published on Powroty, an official government website for Poles living abroad, says: "When leaving the UK, it is worth considering whether you are eligible for Jobseeker's Allowance."

The website points out that UK unemployment benefits are higher than those available in Poland and advises people to apply before leaving Britain, as claims cannot be made once they have returned home.

Under post-Brexit rules set out in the Withdrawal Agreement, some EU nationals who secured settled status before December 2020 can continue receiving certain UK benefits for up to three months after moving to another European country.

The Powroty website also provides step-by-step guidance on how to apply.

The advice has prompted criticism from politicians, who say it highlights flaws in Britain's welfare system.

Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: "Britain has become world-renowned for our soft-touch benefits handouts."

She added: "When other nations are advising their own citizens on how to game benefits in the UK, it is clear how desperately broken our system has become. We have become a laughing stock."

The Conservative frontbencher pledged her party would scrap rules permitting foreign nationals to claim benefits in order to reduce the "ballooning benefits bill".

Richard Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, condemned the situation in equally strong terms.

"This is yet another outrageous benefits abuse on British taxpayers," he said. "Reform will stop all this nonsense."

A government spokesman criticised Warsaw's approach, stating: "The Withdrawal Agreement is a reciprocal arrangement negotiated by the previous government, and it is not a mechanism to maximise claims on British taxpayers."

Officials sought to downplay the scale of the issue, revealing that only around 10 people living outside the UK are currently receiving Jobseeker's Allowance.

The spokesman indicated that Labour intended to overhaul immigration rules to ensure newcomers contribute more to the economy than they receive in support.

JSA eligibility requires claimants to have made sufficient National Insurance contributions through their UK employment history.

Fortnightly payments amount to £75.65 for those aged 18 to 24, rising to £95.55 for individuals aged 25 and above.

Polish officials have pushed back against criticism, insisting their citizens are returning home for reasons beyond benefit entitlements.

A Polish government spokesman said: "Individual decisions to migrate back to Poland are based on grounds other than the possibility to receive a jobseeker's allowance, including the one available under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement to the eligible EU citizens who have lawfully paid insurance contributions during employment."

Warsaw pointed to attractive employment prospects, nearly three decades of continuous economic expansion, proximity to loved ones, and strong public safety as the primary motivations for repatriation.

Since 2022, Poland has offered returning citizens a substantial tax incentive known as "ulga na powrót" or "return relief", worth 85,500 zloty (£17,374) over four years.

More than 25,000 individuals took advantage of this scheme last year.

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