Ministers will announce this week plans to tighten the UK's immigration rules.

Downing Street revealed on Monday that proposals will be set out by the end of the week to head off potential immigration problems caused when the EU takes in 10 new countries.

Currently, the government's plans would allow immigrants from the accession countries to travel to the UK and claim benefits.

Other EU countries, including France and Germany, have implemented opt-outs that delay when people from new EU countries can claim benefits if they emigrate and cannot find work.

Downing Street revealed that Britain's solution would centre on eligibility and warned ministers were prepared to be tough.

"The government remains committed to ensuring the UK labour market is open to those who want to come here to work," said the official spokesman.

"But we will not tolerate who come here for benefit shopping. We need to make it clear that if people come here, they are going to work rather than simply claim benefits."