Theresa May demands crackdown on EU migrants who 'abuse' welfare system "These people arrive under the free movement rules but have no intention of working, studying or setting up a business," a Home Office spokesman said. The Home Secretary will say that abuse of free movement rights by some EU migrants is placing an unacceptable burden on our schools, our hospitals, our social security systems and our local communities. Mrs May will call for new penalties to be imposed on migrants who are found to be exploiting the welfare state, including possible new powers to exclude them from Britain after deportation. At present, anyone removed from the country is free to return "almost the very next day," a spokesman said. She will also ask ministers to clarify the legal position of countries who want to remove EU immigrants who abuse the system. The EU has staunchly defended the right to free movement as a cornerstone of the European project. But Mrs May's success in securing backing on this issue from Germany, Austria and the Netherlands last month indicated growing concern about cross-border abuse. Mrs May said: "We are already taking tough action in this country to stamp out the abuse of free movement, to protect our benefits system and public services. We will not allow this country to be a soft touch but this isn't just a UK problem - it will take the joint efforts of all our EU partners to tackle it.