A Roundtable Discussion: 'Time to Rethink EU Free Movement of Persons?'

Some people believe that EU migrant workers come to the UK in order to claim benefits, or to work in jobs that are low paid so that they can claim in work benefits like tax credits. Others believe that EU migrant workers ‘take’ jobs from UK workers and undercut wages and other labour standards. The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, takes the view that EU migration to the UK is inflating the costs of social security and burdening over-stretched public services. He is currently seeking changes to the EU Treaty rules on free movement as part of his negotiations with the EU prior to the UK’s referendum about EU membership in 2016/17.

In this roundtable discussion experts on EU migration law consider the pull factors that bring EU migrants to the UK, what we know about migrants’ experiences once they are living and working in the UK, and prospects for reform.

After the roundtable participants are warmly invited to attend the Centre for European Legal Studies’ annual Mackenzie Stuart Lecture, at 5.30pm in the Faculty of Law. This year’s lecture will be given by Advocate General Julianne Kokott who will discuss ‘Investment Arbitration and EU Law’.

If you would like to join us, please get in touch.