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Work curbs in place for bigger EU Work curbs in place for bigger EU
(about 6 hours later)
Bulgarian and Romanians coming to work in the UK are preparing to face more restrictions than other EU citizens, as they join the union on 1 January.Bulgarian and Romanians coming to work in the UK are preparing to face more restrictions than other EU citizens, as they join the union on 1 January.
The Home Office had earlier revealed its plans to limit the right to work.The Home Office had earlier revealed its plans to limit the right to work.
It said the UK labour market would be "opened gradually" to the new EU countries, with annual reviews.It said the UK labour market would be "opened gradually" to the new EU countries, with annual reviews.
Unskilled workers will initially be limited to quota-based schemes. The skilled can work if they get a permit, are a student, or are self-employed.Unskilled workers will initially be limited to quota-based schemes. The skilled can work if they get a permit, are a student, or are self-employed.
They can also come to the UK if they qualify under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.They can also come to the UK if they qualify under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.
Quota schemes for low-skilled workers fill vacancies in the agricultural and food processing sectors.Quota schemes for low-skilled workers fill vacancies in the agricultural and food processing sectors.
We need to understand the transitional impacts from the last round of accession before we take the next step Liam Byrne, Home Office minister We need to understand the transitional impacts from the last round of accession before we take the next step Liam Byrne, Home Office minister href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6220655.stm" class="">New EU members set to party
The new system will be reviewed within 12 months, said the Home Office.The new system will be reviewed within 12 months, said the Home Office.
The government's proposed new Migration Advisory Committee will assess the needs of the UK labour market, the position of other EU countries, and the impact made by the eight poorer countries which joined the EU in 2004.The government's proposed new Migration Advisory Committee will assess the needs of the UK labour market, the position of other EU countries, and the impact made by the eight poorer countries which joined the EU in 2004.
On-the-spot fines of £1,000 and penalties for employers of up to £5,000 are in place to penalise law-breaking, said the government, and Customs officials will work on tackling bogus self-employment.On-the-spot fines of £1,000 and penalties for employers of up to £5,000 are in place to penalise law-breaking, said the government, and Customs officials will work on tackling bogus self-employment.
From the first day of 2007 the EU will have 27 members - up from 15 three years ago - and a population of half a billion.From the first day of 2007 the EU will have 27 members - up from 15 three years ago - and a population of half a billion.
Home Office Minister Liam Byrne said a bigger Europe was good for Britain and the economy.Home Office Minister Liam Byrne said a bigger Europe was good for Britain and the economy.
"But we need to understand the transitional impacts from the last round of accession before we take the next step. The measures in place from today will allow us to manage the flow of workers from Bulgaria and Romania as part of this process."But we need to understand the transitional impacts from the last round of accession before we take the next step. The measures in place from today will allow us to manage the flow of workers from Bulgaria and Romania as part of this process.
"Through this measured response to accession we will ensure that migration is, and continues to be, managed in the best interests of the country as a whole.""Through this measured response to accession we will ensure that migration is, and continues to be, managed in the best interests of the country as a whole."
CriticsCritics
The Home Office has been funding a publicity campaign in Bulgaria and Romania to discourage workers travelling to Britain without a work permit.The Home Office has been funding a publicity campaign in Bulgaria and Romania to discourage workers travelling to Britain without a work permit.
According to reports the campaign, being run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), will last until the end of March.According to reports the campaign, being run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), will last until the end of March.
The new curbs contrast with the "open-door" policy adopted in 2004, when 15,000 migrant workers were expected to arrive each year. Instead 600,000 arrived in two years.The new curbs contrast with the "open-door" policy adopted in 2004, when 15,000 migrant workers were expected to arrive each year. Instead 600,000 arrived in two years.
Home Secretary John Reid said the policy had been a success because migrant workers had filled skills gaps.Home Secretary John Reid said the policy had been a success because migrant workers had filled skills gaps.
But he acknowledged some schools had had to cope with a "significant rise" in pupils, while some councils had reported overcrowding in private housing.But he acknowledged some schools had had to cope with a "significant rise" in pupils, while some councils had reported overcrowding in private housing.
Critics have said the new scheme will be unworkable.Critics have said the new scheme will be unworkable.
In October shadow home secretary David Davis said allowing any EU citizen to work in the UK if they are self-employed was a "big loophole".In October shadow home secretary David Davis said allowing any EU citizen to work in the UK if they are self-employed was a "big loophole".
Both the Tories and Lib Dems raised concerns that the policy would simply push more people into working illegally.Both the Tories and Lib Dems raised concerns that the policy would simply push more people into working illegally.