The Netherlands is to cut some social security benefits for Moroccan nationals who return to Morocco to live.

In particular, benefits for widows, orphans and children will be reduced from next year, now that the Dutch senate has voted in favour of the changes.

The Netherlands pulled the plug on talks with Morocco about the changes last year.

The government wants to reduce the benefits to local levels. Morocco has criticised the decision, saying people who have paid social insurance premiums should be entitled to the same level of payouts as people living in the Netherlands.

The changes will affect several hundred people and save a few million euros a year.

Benefits paid to people in many other non-EU countries have already been reduced in line with local standards of living.