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Conservative activists urge PM to keep border controls | Conservative activists urge PM to keep border controls |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ninety senior Conservative activists have urged David Cameron not to lift border controls on Bulgarian and Romanian migrants on 1 January. | Ninety senior Conservative activists have urged David Cameron not to lift border controls on Bulgarian and Romanian migrants on 1 January. |
In a letter to the PM, they argue he could use a clause in EU law to prevent a "hugely disruptive and destabilising wave of mass immigration". | In a letter to the PM, they argue he could use a clause in EU law to prevent a "hugely disruptive and destabilising wave of mass immigration". |
It allows countries to continue with border controls if they have "serious labour market disturbances", they add. | It allows countries to continue with border controls if they have "serious labour market disturbances", they add. |
They say the UK needs "space and time" to reduce long-term youth unemployment. | They say the UK needs "space and time" to reduce long-term youth unemployment. |
Temporary restrictions | Temporary restrictions |
Bulgarians and Romanians gained the right to visa-free travel to the UK in 2007, when their countries joined the EU. | Bulgarians and Romanians gained the right to visa-free travel to the UK in 2007, when their countries joined the EU. |
Since then, temporary restrictions have been in place meaning Romanians and Bulgarians have been able to work in the UK only if they are self-employed, have a job offer, or are filling specialist posts for which no British worker can be found. | Since then, temporary restrictions have been in place meaning Romanians and Bulgarians have been able to work in the UK only if they are self-employed, have a job offer, or are filling specialist posts for which no British worker can be found. |
These restrictions will be dropped on 1 January, having been extended to the maximum period of seven years. | These restrictions will be dropped on 1 January, having been extended to the maximum period of seven years. |
Mr Cameron has said the government "can't stop these full transitional controls coming to an end". | Mr Cameron has said the government "can't stop these full transitional controls coming to an end". |
But the letter, written by Conservative Grassroots chairman Robert Woollard and "backed by local association chairmen, former chairmen and other senior activists", says they "respectfully disagree" with the government's position. | But the letter, written by Conservative Grassroots chairman Robert Woollard and "backed by local association chairmen, former chairmen and other senior activists", says they "respectfully disagree" with the government's position. |
It says a "safeguard clause" written into the EU accession treaty for the two countries "allows for the re-imposition of temporary restrictive measures in any member state if it is 'undergoing or foresees serious labour market disturbances'. | It says a "safeguard clause" written into the EU accession treaty for the two countries "allows for the re-imposition of temporary restrictive measures in any member state if it is 'undergoing or foresees serious labour market disturbances'. |
"Long-term UK youth unemployment - at 21% - is the third highest within EU and OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] countries," it adds. | "Long-term UK youth unemployment - at 21% - is the third highest within EU and OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] countries," it adds. |
The letter says it is therefore logical for the UK "to unilaterally exercise its opt-out on immigration matters under the Lisbon Treaty and extend the original restrictions to 2018 to allow the UK economy the space and time to reverse the long-term high youth unemployment trend". | The letter says it is therefore logical for the UK "to unilaterally exercise its opt-out on immigration matters under the Lisbon Treaty and extend the original restrictions to 2018 to allow the UK economy the space and time to reverse the long-term high youth unemployment trend". |
"You must be aware that this is an untenable political position given the widespread opposition of the British people," it continues. | "You must be aware that this is an untenable political position given the widespread opposition of the British people," it continues. |
"It is also an unsustainable economic position in view of the huge pressure already placed on public services at a time when the country is still facing acute challenges within the economy." | "It is also an unsustainable economic position in view of the huge pressure already placed on public services at a time when the country is still facing acute challenges within the economy." |
The letter says: "How are local authorities going to be able to support unrestricted new immigrant individuals and entire families without additional financial support or increased local taxation? | |
"The fiscal position is simply untenable, irrational and grossly unfair - and may lead to social unrest." | "The fiscal position is simply untenable, irrational and grossly unfair - and may lead to social unrest." |
Mr Woollard adds: "As a matter of urgency we urge you to call a special sitting of Parliament and bring forward a vote on Nigel Mills MP's proposed amendment to the Immigration Bill at the soonest." | |
More than 60 MPs have signed the Tory MP's amendment to extend the controls until 2018. | |
But earlier this month, Commons Leader Andrew Lansley announced the bill would not be debated until next year - after the controls expire. | |
Benefit claims | Benefit claims |
Ministers have refused to predict how many migrants might arrive from Romania and Bulgaria. | Ministers have refused to predict how many migrants might arrive from Romania and Bulgaria. |
With eight other EU countries - including France, Germany and Span - lifting restrictions at the same time, they say such forecasts are difficult. | With eight other EU countries - including France, Germany and Span - lifting restrictions at the same time, they say such forecasts are difficult. |
Last week, the Institute for Public Policy Research urged ministers to take practical steps to help public services cope with the arrival of Bulgarian and Romanian migrants. | Last week, the Institute for Public Policy Research urged ministers to take practical steps to help public services cope with the arrival of Bulgarian and Romanian migrants. |
It said there should be more funds for housing, schools and policing. | It said there should be more funds for housing, schools and policing. |
The Home Office said its focus was on cutting out the abuse of free movement between EU member states and addressing factors that drive European immigration to Britain. | The Home Office said its focus was on cutting out the abuse of free movement between EU member states and addressing factors that drive European immigration to Britain. |
Over the past month, the government has tightened the rules on benefit claims by EU citizens who come to the UK, amid growing concerns about a possible influx of Romanians and Bulgarians. | Over the past month, the government has tightened the rules on benefit claims by EU citizens who come to the UK, amid growing concerns about a possible influx of Romanians and Bulgarians. |
And on Monday, it also announced that overseas visitors and migrants are to face new charges for some NHS services in England. | And on Monday, it also announced that overseas visitors and migrants are to face new charges for some NHS services in England. |