Number of migrant workers from Bulgaria and Romania falls by 21% in quarterly statistics

Almost 4,000 workers from Bulgaria and Romania were granted access to work in the UK between April and June 2007, official Home Office figures have shown.

The Bulgarian and Romanian Accession Statistics 2nd Quarter 2007 show 3,990 workers from the two new EU states were granted access to work for employers – a drop of 21% from the 5,075 granted in the first quarter of the year.

Overall, 9,335 Bulgarian and Romanian nationals had their applications granted. This includes those registering as self-employed and self-sufficient.

An additional 3,980 were issued cards for the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme, which allows farmers to bring in overseas labour.

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Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: “It is too soon to evaluate the full impact of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU.

“Our indications are that the policy of restricting access to the UK’s labour market is helping to ensure that only those who have something to offer the UK are allowed to work here.”