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/7372025.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Half EU migrants 'have left UK' Half EU migrants 'have left UK'
(10 minutes later)
About one million migrants from Eastern Europe have arrived in the UK since 2004 but half of them have already returned home, research suggests.About one million migrants from Eastern Europe have arrived in the UK since 2004 but half of them have already returned home, research suggests.
The Institute for Public Policy Research examined the impact on the UK after the EU expanded in 2004 and 2007.The Institute for Public Policy Research examined the impact on the UK after the EU expanded in 2004 and 2007.
It suggested that the arrival of migrant workers from 10 countries would also slow, with more returning as conditions in their countries improved.It suggested that the arrival of migrant workers from 10 countries would also slow, with more returning as conditions in their countries improved.
The migrants had also spread to all parts of the UK to find work, it said.The migrants had also spread to all parts of the UK to find work, it said.
The research looked at migrants who came from the eight countries that joined the European Union in May 2004 (known as the A8) - Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.The research looked at migrants who came from the eight countries that joined the European Union in May 2004 (known as the A8) - Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
It also included migrants from Romania and Bulgaria who joined in 2007.It also included migrants from Romania and Bulgaria who joined in 2007.
According to the research, there were 665,000 nationals from all 10 countries living in the UK in the last quarter of 2007.According to the research, there were 665,000 nationals from all 10 countries living in the UK in the last quarter of 2007.
Government underestimatedGovernment underestimated
This was an increase of 548,000 since the first quarter of 2004, just prior to the first eight countries joining the EU.This was an increase of 548,000 since the first quarter of 2004, just prior to the first eight countries joining the EU.
The government had underestimated the number of migrants post-expansion, saying that between 5,000 and 13,000 would arrive after 2004.The government had underestimated the number of migrants post-expansion, saying that between 5,000 and 13,000 would arrive after 2004.
Four in ten of the returned Polish migrants we surveyed think that better employment prospects in Poland would encourage Poles living in the UK to return to Poland for good IPPR reportFour in ten of the returned Polish migrants we surveyed think that better employment prospects in Poland would encourage Poles living in the UK to return to Poland for good IPPR report
In fact, by 2006, Home Office minister Tony McNulty admitted that the government was "in the dark" over arrivals - 293,000 immigrants had applied for work permits in the first 18 months.In fact, by 2006, Home Office minister Tony McNulty admitted that the government was "in the dark" over arrivals - 293,000 immigrants had applied for work permits in the first 18 months.
The IPPR research, released to the BBC, estimated that about one million migrant workers had come to the UK from 2004 accession countries, but that around half of this group have already left the UK.The IPPR research, released to the BBC, estimated that about one million migrant workers had come to the UK from 2004 accession countries, but that around half of this group have already left the UK.
The IPPR predicted that fewer migrants from the new EU states will come to the UK, and many already in the UK will return to their home countries in the coming months and years.The IPPR predicted that fewer migrants from the new EU states will come to the UK, and many already in the UK will return to their home countries in the coming months and years.
It based this forecast on the development of the EU countries, with improving economic conditions making it less likely that would-be migrants will leave.It based this forecast on the development of the EU countries, with improving economic conditions making it less likely that would-be migrants will leave.
"Four in ten of the returned Polish migrants we surveyed think that better employment prospects in Poland would encourage Poles living in the UK to return to Poland for good," the IPPR said."Four in ten of the returned Polish migrants we surveyed think that better employment prospects in Poland would encourage Poles living in the UK to return to Poland for good," the IPPR said.
As EU countries change their restrictions on the new members, workers would be more likely to migrate there rather than to the UK, it suggested.As EU countries change their restrictions on the new members, workers would be more likely to migrate there rather than to the UK, it suggested.
There will also be a smaller pool of possible migrants due to declining birth rates in the mid-1980s.There will also be a smaller pool of possible migrants due to declining birth rates in the mid-1980s.
And the pound's devaluation in relation to the Polish currency will narrow the gap between potential earning in Britain and Poland.And the pound's devaluation in relation to the Polish currency will narrow the gap between potential earning in Britain and Poland.
The IPPR said the pound has already fallen by around a quarter relative to the Polish Zloty since early 2004.Poland was one of eight countries to join the EU in 2004 The IPPR said the pound has already fallen by around a quarter relative to the Polish Zloty since early 2004.UK sales of Polish beer have increased to 44 million pints a year
The research also suggested that the geographical spread of EU migrants in the UK was wider than previous waves of immigration.The research also suggested that the geographical spread of EU migrants in the UK was wider than previous waves of immigration.
It said that even areas that have not traditionally attracted migrants, such as Scotland and the South West, had attracted a "significant proportion" of migrants.It said that even areas that have not traditionally attracted migrants, such as Scotland and the South West, had attracted a "significant proportion" of migrants.
This showed that migrants were willing to move to where work was available.This showed that migrants were willing to move to where work was available.
The number of migrants from the new EU countries arriving in the UK had also started to slow substantially, with 17% fewer worker registrations in the second half of 2007 than during the same period of 2006, the IPPR said.The number of migrants from the new EU countries arriving in the UK had also started to slow substantially, with 17% fewer worker registrations in the second half of 2007 than during the same period of 2006, the IPPR said.
"We estimate that some 30,000 fewer migrants arrived in the second half of 2007 as did in the second half of 2006.""We estimate that some 30,000 fewer migrants arrived in the second half of 2007 as did in the second half of 2006."
The IPPR looked at the Labour Force Survey, national insurance number applications, and the Workers Registration Scheme - applicants are required to register on the scheme as soon as they start working in the UK.The IPPR looked at the Labour Force Survey, national insurance number applications, and the Workers Registration Scheme - applicants are required to register on the scheme as soon as they start working in the UK.
It also studied the International Passenger Survey and questioned Poles who had returned to Poland after working in the UK.It also studied the International Passenger Survey and questioned Poles who had returned to Poland after working in the UK.
Air travel between the Britain and Poland had also changed since accession.Air travel between the Britain and Poland had also changed since accession.
In December 2003 about 40,000 passengers flew between three British airports and Warsaw and Krakow in Poland, but four years later it was possible to fly from 18 British airports to 10 Polish cities.In December 2003 about 40,000 passengers flew between three British airports and Warsaw and Krakow in Poland, but four years later it was possible to fly from 18 British airports to 10 Polish cities.
Passenger numbers between these destinations in December 2007 were almost 385,000.Passenger numbers between these destinations in December 2007 were almost 385,000.