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UK work visa bids reach 800,000 UK work visa bids reach 800,000
(about 1 hour later)
Nearly 800,000 eastern Europeans have applied to work in the UK after the expansion of the European Union four years ago, new figures have shown.Nearly 800,000 eastern Europeans have applied to work in the UK after the expansion of the European Union four years ago, new figures have shown.
The Home Office also claimed the research shows someone was deported from the country "every eight minutes".The Home Office also claimed the research shows someone was deported from the country "every eight minutes".
It focuses on Poland and seven other ex-Soviet states that joined the European Union (EU).It focuses on Poland and seven other ex-Soviet states that joined the European Union (EU).
Asylum applications in 2007 were also shown to be at their lowest level for 14 years, the figures indicate.Asylum applications in 2007 were also shown to be at their lowest level for 14 years, the figures indicate.
But the statistics do not include the self-employed or those from Romania and Bulgaria, which joined the EU later. There have been a total of 796,000 applications for UK work permits from the so-called "A8 countries" - the eight poorest east European countries that joined the EU in May 2004 - of which 766,000 were approved.
Last year we deported someone every eight minutes Immigration Minister Liam Byrne We deported the highest ever number of foreign law-breakers - up by a huge 80% - and we attacked illegal working much harder Immigration Minister Liam Byrne
There have been a total of 796,000 applications for UK work permits from the so-called "A8 countries" - the eight poorest eastern European countries that joined the EU in may 2004. The level of successful applications has been welcomed by employers, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has claimed, because their work ethic is often better than the native workforce.
Of these applications, 766,000 were approved. The statistics on work permits do not include the self-employed or those from Romania and Bulgaria, which joined the EU later.
In relation to social security benefits, the Home Office figures showed just over 89,000 immigrants from these countries are claiming child benefit. In relation to social security benefits, the Home Office figures showed just over 89,000 immigrants from these countries are claiming child benefit, with claims for a range of other benefits also detailed.
In addition, there were 4,900 successful applications for income support, Jobseeker's Allowance or state pension, and 51,500 immigrants are claiming tax credits.
Separate Government data showed that following the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU at the start of this year, a further 30,570 people from those countries have been granted work permits in Britain.Separate Government data showed that following the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU at the start of this year, a further 30,570 people from those countries have been granted work permits in Britain.
'Priorities straight' IMMIGRANT BENEFIT CLAIMS 766,000 approved applications89,000 claiming child benefit51,500 claiming tax credits4,900 on financial benefits1,021 on homelessness support
There has, however, been a decline in asylum applications, the Home Office said.There has, however, been a decline in asylum applications, the Home Office said.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: "[The] figures prove that last year we deported someone every eight minutes - and we got our priorities straight.Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: "[The] figures prove that last year we deported someone every eight minutes - and we got our priorities straight.
"We deported the highest ever number of foreign law-breakers - up by a huge 80% - and we attacked illegal working much harder because it undercuts British wages, with 40% more illegal working operations.""We deported the highest ever number of foreign law-breakers - up by a huge 80% - and we attacked illegal working much harder because it undercuts British wages, with 40% more illegal working operations."
David Frost, director general of the BCC, said those in the UK legally are a welcome addition to the workforce.
'Skills shortage'
"Employers up and down the country tell me that they take on migrant workers because their work ethic is so much better than domestic workers," he said.
"[But] the vast majority of these jobs could have been filled by UK residents.
"Until the government gets to grips with this country's severe skills shortage and increasing welfare dependency culture, businesses will continue to employ migrant workers in large numbers."
The so-called A8 countries are: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.The so-called A8 countries are: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.