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Romanian and Bulgarian immigrant numbers played down Romanian and Bulgarian immigrant numbers played down
(35 minutes later)
Fears Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants into the UK will put a strain on public services have been downplayed in a report published by the government. Romanian and Bulgarian migration to the UK will hit schools but have a lesser impact on housing, a report has said.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) said schools were likely to be pressured but there would be less effect on the NHS, the housing sector and the welfare system. However, it remains uncertain how many people will come to the UK when restrictions are lifted at the end of the year, said the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
However, it remains uncertain how many Romanian and Bulgarian will come to the UK when restrictions are lifted. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007 but workers were prevented from travelling to the UK.
Campaigners called it a "whitewash". Pressure group Migration Watch UK called the report a "whitewash".
Temporary staysTemporary stays
Romanians and Bulgarian have faced restrictions on coming to the UK to work since the countries joined the EU in 2007 but these are due to finish at the end of 2013.
According to a British Labour Force sample survey, there are currently 26,000 Bulgarians and 80,000 Romanians living in the UK, but the actual numbers could be larger, according to the report.According to a British Labour Force sample survey, there are currently 26,000 Bulgarians and 80,000 Romanians living in the UK, but the actual numbers could be larger, according to the report.
There was no evidence to support a public perception that migration from Romania and Bulgaria will put pressure on social housing, the NIESR report said.There was no evidence to support a public perception that migration from Romania and Bulgaria will put pressure on social housing, the NIESR report said.
It also said the effect on housing is highly dependent on whether immigrants settle in the long-term.It also said the effect on housing is highly dependent on whether immigrants settle in the long-term.
And while evidence from local surveys showed that Romanians and Bulgarians are interested in coming to the UK, many are interested in temporary stays rather than long-term moves.And while evidence from local surveys showed that Romanians and Bulgarians are interested in coming to the UK, many are interested in temporary stays rather than long-term moves.
Currently, the main destinations for Romanian and Bulgarian migrants are Spain and Italy, and Germany to a smaller degree, the research said.Currently, the main destinations for Romanian and Bulgarian migrants are Spain and Italy, and Germany to a smaller degree, the research said.
Romanian and Bulgarian migrants to the UK are likely to be low-skilled workers, employed in construction, catering, hospitality, and as carers or cleaners, the report added.Romanian and Bulgarian migrants to the UK are likely to be low-skilled workers, employed in construction, catering, hospitality, and as carers or cleaners, the report added.
Studies covering Eastern European migrants found them to be less likely to claim benefits than other migrant groups or the general population, the report said, adding that of those who claim benefits now, the majority receive child benefits.Studies covering Eastern European migrants found them to be less likely to claim benefits than other migrant groups or the general population, the report said, adding that of those who claim benefits now, the majority receive child benefits.
Country transfersCountry transfers
But there is a limited amount of evidence on the impact of migrants on the welfare system, the NIESR study said.But there is a limited amount of evidence on the impact of migrants on the welfare system, the NIESR study said.
And it did say that the impact on services, including housing, education, welfare and health, is likely to be greater if Romanians and Bulgarians move to the UK on a longer-term basis.And it did say that the impact on services, including housing, education, welfare and health, is likely to be greater if Romanians and Bulgarians move to the UK on a longer-term basis.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has previously said that ministers do not know how many Romanians and Bulgarians will come to the UK when restrictions are relaxed.Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has previously said that ministers do not know how many Romanians and Bulgarians will come to the UK when restrictions are relaxed.
He also said he had no confidence in figures, published on his department's own website, predicting about 13,000 will arrive.He also said he had no confidence in figures, published on his department's own website, predicting about 13,000 will arrive.
Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migration Watch UK which campaigns for tougher controls on immigration, said: "This report is a bucket of whitewash.Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migration Watch UK which campaigns for tougher controls on immigration, said: "This report is a bucket of whitewash.
"In 60 pages it produces no estimate whatever of the likely future scale of Romanian and Bulgarian migration to the UK."In 60 pages it produces no estimate whatever of the likely future scale of Romanian and Bulgarian migration to the UK.
"It doesn't even address the only estimate published so far - by Migration Watch UK which has a strong record in these matters."It doesn't even address the only estimate published so far - by Migration Watch UK which has a strong record in these matters.
"It brushes aside any indication of an increase in migration from these countries whose workers are amongst the most mobile in the EU. Furthermore it avoids tackling the key question of how many Romanian and Bulgarian migrants now in Spain and Italy might transfer to Britain.""It brushes aside any indication of an increase in migration from these countries whose workers are amongst the most mobile in the EU. Furthermore it avoids tackling the key question of how many Romanian and Bulgarian migrants now in Spain and Italy might transfer to Britain."
The research was commissioned and funded by the British Embassy in the Romanian capital Bucharest. It included a review of data and of research literature from the UK, Romania and Bulgaria.The research was commissioned and funded by the British Embassy in the Romanian capital Bucharest. It included a review of data and of research literature from the UK, Romania and Bulgaria.