The European Court of Justice said it was lawful for the UK to withhold family benefits to EU migrants who were not working if they did not have the right to reside in the UK.

It said it was justified on the basis of "protecting" a state's finances.

The ruling was welcomed by the government and EU remain campaigners.

But Vote Leave said it was "absurd that the UK had to run every nut and bolt of domestic policy" past a court in Luxembourg and engage in "lengthy and expensive" legal battles.

The UK will decide on 23 June whether it wants to remain in the EU or leave.