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UK work applications near 800,000 | |
(29 minutes 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 their research shows someone was deported from the country "every eight minutes". | |
It focuses on Poland and seven other eastern European countries 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. |
There have been a total of 796,000 applications to register for work in the UK 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. | |
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 | 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 |
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. | 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. |
The statistics 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, with claims for a range of other benefits also detailed. | 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. |
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 were granted their applications to work in the UK. | |
IMMIGRANT BENEFIT CLAIMS 766,000 approved applications89,000 claiming child benefit51,500 claiming tax credits4,900 on financial benefits1,021 on homelessness support | 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. | David Frost, director general of the BCC, said those in the UK legally are a welcome addition to the workforce. |
'Skills shortage' | '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. | "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. | "[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." | "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. |