The role of politicisation in the implementation of EU free movement and cross-border welfare rights

This article traces domestic legislative and administrative reactions to case law by the European Court of Justice in the area of EU Citizenship, free movement and cross-border welfare rights. Specifically, it contributes to existing Europeanisation research by highlighting the role of politicisation in the implementation process. The empirical case study analyses EU students' free movement and cross-border welfare rights in England, based on an original data collection of newspaper articles, semi-structured expert interviews and policy documents. The analysis thus innovatively combines both quantitative and qualitative analysis of politicisation, explicating an otherwise puzzling ten-years delayed policy change in the English study finance system. Ultimately, the case study is exemplary for the struggle in striking a delicate balance between open borders and sustainable public funds under EU non-discrimination provisions, which many other member states similarly face.