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Migrants 'crowding jobs market' Migrants 'crowding jobs market'
(30 minutes later)
More than half of people polled by the BBC fear the arrival of Eastern European workers is making it harder for British citizens to get jobs.More than half of people polled by the BBC fear the arrival of Eastern European workers is making it harder for British citizens to get jobs.
In a poll for the BBC's Inside Out programme, the majority of those surveyed agreed migrant workers had been good for the British economy. In a poll for the BBC's Inside Out programme, most of the 997 people surveyed agreed migrant workers had been good for the British economy.
But more than a quarter feared wages were being driven down by cheap labour.But more than a quarter feared wages were being driven down by cheap labour.
And almost four out of five backed proposals to restrict the arrival of Bulgarian and Romanian workers.And almost four out of five backed proposals to restrict the arrival of Bulgarian and Romanian workers.
Official figures estimate that some 600,000 Eastern European workers have spent some time in the UK in the two years since their eight nations joined the European Union.
WHO CAN WORK IN UK Anyone self-employedHighly skilled migrantsSkilled migrants with work permitsStudentsFood and agriculture workers Analysis: Will worker curbs work?
The overwhelming majority of those arriving have been young and Polish and have primarily gone into low-skilled jobs such as factories.
Figures do not show how many stay for the long-term. Anecdotal evidence suggests that while the majority see it as a short-term move, such as to help pay for studies, a growing number are choosing to settle.
In the NOP survey for the BBC's Inside Out programme, two-thirds of those questioned said Eastern European migrants were hard workers. But at the same time, there were considerable concerns about their effects on the British labour market.
The poll suggested that those most concerned were manual workers who felt they were in competition with migrant workers for low-paid jobs.
Almost six out of 10 thought migrant workers were being exploited by food producers in the UK.
Asked if they would be prepared to pay higher prices if it meant workers were less exploited, half said they would - and a quarter said they would not.
Free market
Under the EU's free market rules, citizens from any of the member states, including the UK, have the right to seek work in the other countries.
MIGRANT WORKERS AND BENEFITS 447,000 registered workers 5,943 sought Income Support 768 eligible27,000 received universal Child Benefit110 council homes allocated (0.04% of stock) Figures apply to workers from Eastern European EU member states, May 2004 - June 2006; Source: Home Office/DWP
When eight Eastern European countries joined in May 2004, existing members were allowed to block their entry to labour markets for up to seven years. The UK was one of the few nations that allowed free access, arguing it would be good for the British economy.
Business leaders say Eastern European workers have been filling significant labour market gaps in an expanding economy.
Most economists also believe that cheap migrant workers are helping to keep down both wages and prices which, in turn, are helping to keep inflation low.
Critics however say that rather than recruiting from abroad, the UK should be doing more to ensure that the jobless in Britain get into work. They also argue that the impact on public services is not been properly assessed.
These fears prompted Home Secretary John Reid to announce in October that there would be restrictions on the arrival of workers from Bulgaria and Romania, due to join the European Union next year.
In the BBC survey, nearly 80% said they agreed with the proposed restrictions.
Both the government and opposition now say they want a reformed migration system to measure social impact.
  • Inside Out is on BBC One on Monday evening at 1930 GMT. NOP surveyed 997 adults during the weekend of October 20 to 22.