ALMOST 1million of UK taxpayers cash is paid yearly as child benefit to youngsters in Romania.
Under EU rules a European working in the UK can claim weekly benefit of 20.70 for the first child and 13.70 for all others even if they left their kids behind.
The official tax figures show 615 Romanians claimed child benefit for a total of 1,000 children.
Last year it was revealed a court ruled a Romanian divorcee, who had never been to the UK, was allowed to keep her 150-per-month child benefit from the UK despite her husband disappearing.
In total there are 12,945 families claiming child benefit for a total of 19,120 children who live in other EU nations.
Alp Mehmet, Chairman of Migrationwatch UK, said: This is absurd and is happening while four million children in the UK live below the poverty line. Time for charity to begin at home.
And James Roberts, Political Director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Brits are sick to the back teeth of forking out billions for benefits, only to see some of it end up in the pockets of people overseas.
“Taxpayers struggling to make ends meet for their own families should not be expected to put food on the table in Romania.
“Politicians should ensure that these loopholes are closed as soon as possible.”
