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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| EU work restrictions 'to remain' | EU work restrictions 'to remain' |
| (about 1 hour 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 imposed before the countries joined the EU in January, amid concerns about eastern European immigration. | Curbs were imposed before the countries joined the EU in January, amid concerns about eastern European immigration. |
| The curbs restrict the numbers of unskilled workers, but do not affect the self employed. | 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. | 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 figure is closer to 1.1m. | They had said there were 800,000, but now say the figure is closer to 1.1m. |
| 'Prudent balance' | 'Prudent balance' |
| Home Office minister Liam Byrne said the decision to leave the restrictions in place had been made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. | Home Office minister Liam Byrne said the decision to leave the restrictions in place had been made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. |
| He said the move was intended to achieve a "prudent balance" between the needs of the economy and the impact on public services. | He said the move was intended to achieve a "prudent balance" between the needs of the economy and the impact on public services. |
| The restrictions limit low-skilled migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania. Only 20,000 were able to seek jobs in agriculture and food processing under a specific scheme. | The restrictions limit low-skilled migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania. Only 20,000 were able to seek jobs in agriculture and food processing under a specific scheme. |
| We will of course review these again after 12 months. But for now the restrictions will stay Liam ByrneHome Office minister Smith 'sorry' for migrants error | We will of course review these again after 12 months. But for now the restrictions will stay Liam ByrneHome Office minister Smith 'sorry' for migrants error |
| But EU rules mean Romanians and Bulgarians are free to live in the UK, and to take any job if self-employed. The curbs also do not affect students, who can seek part-time work. | But EU rules mean Romanians and Bulgarians are free to live in the UK, and to take any job if self-employed. The curbs also do not affect students, who can seek part-time work. |
| When 10 nations, including eight former communist states, joined the EU in 2004, the UK was one of the few countries to adopt an "open door" policy - allowing unfettered access to its labour market. | When 10 nations, including eight former communist states, joined the EU in 2004, the UK was one of the few countries to adopt an "open door" policy - allowing unfettered access to its labour market. |
| The government predicted 15,000 migrant workers would arrive each year. Instead 600,000 arrived in two years. | The government predicted 15,000 migrant workers would arrive each year. Instead 600,000 arrived in two years. |
| ID cards | ID cards |
| Mr Byrne said the restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian workers could remain in place until 2011 if necessary. | Mr Byrne said the restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian workers could remain in place until 2011 if necessary. |
| He said the numbers of migrant workers from all accession countries were "lower than they were a couple of years ago". | He said the numbers of migrant workers from all accession countries were "lower than they were a couple of years ago". |
| He was asked why he was making the announcement now, when the restrictions were not due to lapse until the end of 2008 anyway. | He was asked why he was making the announcement now, when the restrictions were not due to lapse until the end of 2008 anyway. |
| Mr Byrne told the BBC the government had said the restrictions would be reviewed annually, when they announced the plans last year. | Mr Byrne told the BBC the government had said the restrictions would be reviewed annually, when they announced the plans last year. |
| "We will of course review these again after 12 months. But for now the restrictions will stay," he said. | "We will of course review these again after 12 months. But for now the restrictions will stay," he said. |
| Building programme? | |
| He also said "sweeping changes" to the immigration system were pending - with compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals, tougher policing of ports and airports, and the introduction of an Australian-style "points system". | He also said "sweeping changes" to the immigration system were pending - with compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals, tougher policing of ports and airports, and the introduction of an Australian-style "points system". |
| Sir Andrew Green, of Migration Watch, welcomed the decision to extend the restrictions, saying it was the only possible thing to do. | |
| He told the BBC's World at One programme: "The government's own projections are showing that our population will grow, in the UK, by 10.5m in the next 25 years - 70 % of it due to immigration. | |
| "What that means is we will have to build a Birmingham every two and a half years. So either we start a massive building programme now or we get the numbers under control." |