Est. 1min 22-08-2006 (updated: 07-11-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The UK government intends to adopt a stricter stance on immigration of workers from Bulgaria and Romania. UK business leaders, on 19 August 2006, called on the government to curb the expected influx of migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania. They fear that this could overstretch public services and put pressure on communities. An opinion poll, published by the Sunday Times on 20 August 2006, indicated that 75% of UK citizens favour stricter rules on immigrant workers coming from Bulgaria and Romania, which are scheduled to enter the EU in 2007. Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling told the BBC that the UK will not opt for an “open-door” policy for migrants coming from new EU member countries, as it did for those countries who joined in 2004. He said immigration needed to be “properly managed”. This decision comes after the number of workers from the new member states has surged to more than 300,000, in sharp contrast with the expected 13,000 since 2004. Read more with Euractiv Study raises new doubts about carbon storage The capture and storage of CO2 deep underground may prove an environmentally risky solution to global warming, a US government experiment revealed. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters PositionsThe UK’s Labour Minister Frank Filed asked to limit worker migration. He said the present migration rate had a negative impact on housing policy, on the healthcare system and on the “community’s image itself”. Home Secretary John Reid believes that a hardening of public opinion on immigration is reinforcing the case for restrictions. Damian Green of the UK’s Conservative party accused the government of having underestimated the impact of migrant workers in the UK since 2004. He said “by controlling the numbers we can make life much better for everyone”. Meanwhile, a study by the British Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) indicates that the number of workers from Bulgaria and Romania likely to migrate to the UK next year is much lower than figures might suggest. Catherine Drew of the IPPR said that the UK government’s statistics were “leaked” and that there was a lack of methodology behind them. Susan Anderson of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said that “there is a strong argument to pause for a period before opening up to workers from further new member states while we learn the lessons from experience to date”. On the other hand, former CBI Director General Sir Digby Jones warned that heavy restrictions on immigration would harm the UK economy. In a Sunday Telegraph article he said that “Britain is wealthier because of immigration”. BackgroundAfter UK media had revealed that the government expects, according to its internal statistics, between 60,000 and 140,000 Bulgarians and Romanians to enter the job market after enlargement, pressure on the government is growing. TimelineA formal decision by the UK government will be taken this autumn, when the accession date for the two countries will be fixed by the European Commission. Further ReadingEU Actors positions British Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR):EU Enlargement Bulgaria and Romania – migration implications for the UK(25 April 2006) Press articles BBC“No open door” for new migrants(20 August 2006) Financial TimesOpen-door policy not to apply to new EU states(21 August 2006) Sunday TimesPublic wants much harsher immigration policy, says poll(20 August 2006) The TelegraphBulgaria opens back door to the EU with give-away passports bonanza(13 August 2006) The HeraldBritain to limit workers from new EU states(21 August 2006) Sofia News AgencyUK Bosses: Curb Migrant Workers from Bulgaria, Romania(21 August 2006)
