David Cameron will today outline plans for an immigration crackdown – much of which the Scottish Government has already insisted it will not implement north of the Border.
Scottish ministers are powerless to stop plans to cut off many migrants' benefits after six months. However, the Scottish Government said other measures – including proposals to charge immigrants to see a GP and a five-year wait before they can become eligible for a council house – would not be brought in Scotland, where both issues are devolved.
A Scottish Government source said: "These are Cameron's policies, not ours".
Mr Cameron's speech follows similar announcements by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg last week.
The Coalition Government is keen to appear tough on the issue, following Ukip's shock second place in a Westminster by-election last month.
Ministers are also concerned about the potential scale of immigration from Bulgaria and Romania, after restrictions are lifted at the end of this year.
The Prime Minister will today say he wants to protect the benefits system from becoming a "soft touch".
He is expected to say: "While I have always believed in the benefits of immigration, I have also always believed that immigration has to be properly controlled.
"It means ensuring the system is fair so we support the aspirations of hard-working people who want to get on in life. This is about building that aspiration nation I have been talking about."
Chris Bryant, Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister, criticised Mr Cameron's approach.
He said: "The test of the Prime Minister's speech is not whether he can make overblown promises or ramp up the rhetoric. It is whether he can stop this Government's growing list of practical failings in the immigration system – especially on enforcement and illegal immigration."
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