MIGRANTS from EU countries may be stripped of benefits if they have not contributed to the British tax system if a Labour government is elected next year.

In an interview for right-wing rag the Sun on Sunday, Labour shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves said: “It isn’t right that somebody who has worked hard all their lives and has contributed to the system is entitled to only the same as somebody who has just come to this country.

“So we need to look at that.

“It shouldn’t be that you can draw on the system without having contributed.”

Such arbitrary penalties could be struck down as EU law requires equal treatment of workers from all countries.

But Ms Reeves said Labour would “work with partners in Europe to reform the system,” or alternatively require all workers to contribute before drawing benefits, including British citizens.