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Reid to set new EU migrant rules Reid to set new EU migrant rules
(about 1 hour later)
Limits on Bulgarians' and Romanians' right to work in the UK are to be unveiled by Home Secretary John Reid.Limits on Bulgarians' and Romanians' right to work in the UK are to be unveiled by Home Secretary John Reid.
The countries join the EU in January, and tougher rules are expected than the open door policy when another eight former communist states joined in 2004.The countries join the EU in January, and tougher rules are expected than the open door policy when another eight former communist states joined in 2004.
At that time the Home Office expected about 15,000 migrant workers a year - but 600,000 arrived in two years.At that time the Home Office expected about 15,000 migrant workers a year - but 600,000 arrived in two years.
Bulgaria's minister for EU integration, Meglena Kuneva, said she was disappointed by the change of policy.Bulgaria's minister for EU integration, Meglena Kuneva, said she was disappointed by the change of policy.
Only Britain, Ireland and Sweden chose to allow unrestricted access to their labour markets when the new states - the largest of which was Poland - joined the EU in 2004.Only Britain, Ireland and Sweden chose to allow unrestricted access to their labour markets when the new states - the largest of which was Poland - joined the EU in 2004.
We all want to be clear that anything that is proposed is workable and effective Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett Q&A: EU enlargementWe all want to be clear that anything that is proposed is workable and effective Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett Q&A: EU enlargement
Mr Reid is expected to say that, this time, there will be limits on work permit numbers and quotas for specific economic areas such as fruit-picking.Mr Reid is expected to say that, this time, there will be limits on work permit numbers and quotas for specific economic areas such as fruit-picking.
There have been reports of disagreement within Cabinet at the plans, with the Foreign Office opposed to the curbs because of the impact they might have on Britain's relations with the new EU states.There have been reports of disagreement within Cabinet at the plans, with the Foreign Office opposed to the curbs because of the impact they might have on Britain's relations with the new EU states.
But it appears Mr Reid has won that battle and a Cabinet committee is expected to sign off the plans, which are due to be announced by the Home Office on Tuesday morning.But it appears Mr Reid has won that battle and a Cabinet committee is expected to sign off the plans, which are due to be announced by the Home Office on Tuesday morning.
Everyone within the EU is allowed to travel and live wherever they want to within member states. Everyone who is a citizen of an EU country is allowed to travel and live wherever they want to within member states.
Black economyBlack economy
But when new members join, the EU's existing members are allowed to impose restrictions on the new EU citizens' right to work for up to seven years. But when new members join, the EU's existing members are allowed to impose restrictions on the new EU citizens' right to work - and right to benefits - for up to seven years.
Some opponents of curbs warn that Romanian and Bulgarian migrants may be forced into the black economy if they are allowed to travel and live in the UK, but not allowed to work.Some opponents of curbs warn that Romanian and Bulgarian migrants may be forced into the black economy if they are allowed to travel and live in the UK, but not allowed to work.
Bulgaria's Ms Kuneva said on BBC News 24 about 36,000 people would want to move to Britain from Bulgaria.Bulgaria's Ms Kuneva said on BBC News 24 about 36,000 people would want to move to Britain from Bulgaria.
She hoped they would have the same freedom as Polish workers who came to the UK when Poland joined in 2004.She hoped they would have the same freedom as Polish workers who came to the UK when Poland joined in 2004.
It's a little a bit strange why this policy isn't kept Meglena KunevaBulgarian minister Leaving Bulgaria for UK? Romania to lose workersIt's a little a bit strange why this policy isn't kept Meglena KunevaBulgarian minister Leaving Bulgaria for UK? Romania to lose workers
Mrs Kuneva described the UK's policy in 2004 as "very brave and very right".Mrs Kuneva described the UK's policy in 2004 as "very brave and very right".
"It's a little a bit strange why this policy isn't kept [for Bulgaria]", she said."It's a little a bit strange why this policy isn't kept [for Bulgaria]", she said.
And Raduta Matache, the acting Romanian ambassador to the UK, said she would have expected Britain to grant the same "non-discriminatory treatment" to Romanians, that had been given to Polish workers.And Raduta Matache, the acting Romanian ambassador to the UK, said she would have expected Britain to grant the same "non-discriminatory treatment" to Romanians, that had been given to Polish workers.
But Sir Andrew Green, of pressure group Migrationwatch, told the BBC the UK was already taking a "huge level" of immigration - and the government's plans marked a "turning point".But Sir Andrew Green, of pressure group Migrationwatch, told the BBC the UK was already taking a "huge level" of immigration - and the government's plans marked a "turning point".
"It will be the first time the government has acknowledged the really serious concern throughout Britain about the scale of all this," he said."It will be the first time the government has acknowledged the really serious concern throughout Britain about the scale of all this," he said.
On Monday Baroness Scotland told the House of Lords the government's scheme would be "welcoming" while "safeguarding the best interests of the people of this country".On Monday Baroness Scotland told the House of Lords the government's scheme would be "welcoming" while "safeguarding the best interests of the people of this country".
The government had also "learnt a great deal" from Polish workers, whose arrival had benefited the country, she added.The government had also "learnt a great deal" from Polish workers, whose arrival had benefited the country, she added.