Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, told a Commons debate on “benefit tourism” that free movement in Europe boosted the economy.

He asked Conservative Anne Main: “Does she not accept that in judging this in the round, we also have to take into account the benefits to our economy and to other economies of freedom of movement? Should we also not take account of the benefits that accrue to British citizens through having rights of movement to other EU countries?”

Mrs Main said: “There are undoubtedly benefits, but we are talking about countries with different levels of affluence.”