 Throughout 2014 , Miliband changed Labour 's policy on immigration , partly in response to UKIP 's performance in the European and local elections in May , and the close result in the Heywood and Middleton by @-@ election in October . Miliband committed to increase funding for border checks , tackle exploitation and the undercutting of wages , require employers who recruit abroad to create apprenticeships , and ensure workers in public @-@ facing roles have minimum standards of English . In November 2014 , Labour announced plans to require new EU migrants wait two years before claiming benefits . 
