THE only way Britain can control welfare spending on European citizens is to leave the European Union, an MP has warned.

Closing the borders would stop more people coming to Britain to take advantage of its benefit system and give control back to the UK, according to Shipley MP Philip Davies.

He said: “We cannot afford to keep handing out money. It is not fair on the British taxpayer that people are coming over from other countries and claiming benefits here. This is happening at the same time that we have to cut spending in our country to deal with the financial mess Labour left us in.

“I think people are fed up and have had enough and want to see something done. Britain needs to take back control of its benefit system.”

Mr Davies (Con) welcomed measures by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith which restrict benefits to the EU nationals but said the only way to get complete control was to leave the EU.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “The Prime Minister has given the country a referendum on that matter, which isn’t a huge step forward. They will all have a vote on that and I suggest that, at that moment he is able to make that powerful argument.”

He also hinted Mr Davies’ persistent arguments against being in the EU could prevail, adding: “I am sure that with his rhetoric he may yet carry the day.”