This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7069129.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
EU work restrictions 'to remain' EU work restrictions 'to remain'
(20 minutes later)
Restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians who want to work in the UK will remain in force until at least the end of next year, the Home Office says.Restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians who want to work in the UK will remain in force until at least the end of next year, the Home Office says.
Curbs were put in place before the two countries joined the European Union on 1 January, after concerns about the scale of eastern European immigration. Curbs were imposed before the countries joined the EU in January, amid concerns about eastern European immigration.
It comes as ministers admitted other figures on foreign workers in the UK since 1997 were out by 300,000. The curbs restrict the numbers of unskilled workers, but do not affect the self employed.
It comes as ministers admit other figures on foreign workers in the UK since 1997 were out by 300,000.
They had said there were 800,000, but now say the figures is closer to 1.1m.They had said there were 800,000, but now say the figures is closer to 1.1m.
Immigration minister Liam Byrne said the decision to leave the restrictions in place had been made at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
He said it was intended to achieve a "prudent balance" between the needs of the economy and the impact on public services.
Asked why he was making the announcement, when the restrictions were not due to lapse until the end of 2008 anyway, he told the BBC the government had pledged to review them annually.
The restrictions can remain in place until 2011, he added.
"We will of course review these again after 12 months. But for now the restrictions will stay," he said.
The curbs contrasted with the "open-door" policy adopted towards eight former communist states which joined the EU in 2004, when 15,000 migrant workers were expected to arrive each year. Instead 600,000 arrived in two years. EU rules mean Romanians and Bulgarians are free to live in the UK, and to take any job if self-employed.