Speaking during a visit to Bristol, he said Britain needed to be "less attractive" to people from EU countries who had "less skills".

Immigration has become one of the top three issues which most concern voters on Bristol's streets. They believe the system is not fair on people in this country who work hard and pay their taxes – yet migrants seem to qualify too easily for benefits.

Mr Hammond admitted Britain's welfare system was "wide open" compared to those used in other European countries.

During a trip to Bristol, he said: "It has been abused but we have taken steps to make it less successful for people who come in the UK and who are not working.

"We must take further measures in co-operation with our EU partners to ensure that the welfare system is here to support people who have paid in over the years and be less attractive to low-paid workers from EU countries."

He said some EU countries tell Britain to fix the problem by changing the welfare system instead of blaming Europe.

Source: The Bristol Post