British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced measures to toughen welfare rules for migrants from the European Union.
The announcement came amid rising concern in Britain that migrants from Romania and Bulgaria - who could start working without restriction in the UK and the rest of the EU from January 1 - would exploit the British welfare system.
The measures announced on Wednesday include barring new migrants from getting jobless benefits for the first three months, and deporting migrants caught begging or sleeping outdoors.
Cameron also proposed restricting the free movement of EU workers, saying the policy has caused "vast migrations" of people from poorer member states to richer ones.
His comments were criticised by European Employment Commissioner Laszlo Andor, who said they were an "unfortunate over-reaction".
