Recent data reveals a significant increase in the number of Romanians and Bulgarians working in the UK, following the EU’s free-movement rule changes.
- The number of Romanians accessing British jobs has surged by 223% in just one year.
- Over 40,000 Bulgarians have registered for National Insurance numbers, up from 17,000 in 2014.
- Concerns mount in Britain over the allocation of jobs to Romanian and Bulgarian workers, sparking public and political debate.
- Employers face challenges with employment verification amid rising economic migration.
The implementation of the EU’s free-movement rule has led to a notable rise in economic migration to the UK, particularly among Romanians and Bulgarians. According to recent statistics, more than 150,000 Romanians now have the right to work in Britain—an increase of 223% since the previous year. This change reflects their newly gained equal work rights with British citizens.
The data from the Office for National Statistics highlights a 15% year-on-year increase in Romanians and Bulgarians securing work rights in the UK. Specifically, the number of Bulgarians registering for National Insurance in 2014 was 17,000, which has now escalated to 40,576.
This increase in foreign workers has stirred significant public concern. The Daily Express has been vocal in its opposition, campaigning against the relaxed border controls for Romania and Bulgaria. This sentiment has been echoed in a petition presented to Downing Street, signed by 150,000 individuals advocating for stricter immigration controls.
In response to these concerns, a Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson emphasised, “The British people are rightly concerned that people come to this country for the right reasons.” The government has introduced several measures aimed at tightening immigration and benefit access routes.
The impact of increased economic migration is also reflected in employment statistics, with EU migrants securing jobs at a rate ten times higher than native British workers. This has raised alarm among some political figures, such as Janice Atkinson, UKIP MEP, who criticised the open border policies for complicating job prospects for locals.
Employers, particularly in sectors requiring low-skilled labour, are experiencing difficulties in discerning who is legally permitted to work in the UK. Adrian Lewis, a commercial director, pointed out the complexities of employment checks, noting the heavy fines imposed for non-compliance with employment laws.
The rise in economic migration to the UK elicits varied responses, highlighting the complexities surrounding employment and immigration policies.
