EU immigrants’ impact downplayed

Fears that an influx of Romanians and Bulgarians to Britain will put a strain on public services have been downplayed in an independent report, published by the Foreign Office.

But the number that may arrive on UK shores after immigration restrictions are lifted next year remains unpredictable, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research study.

Schools were likely to take much of the strain but the effect on the NHS, housing and welfare will be less pronounced, it said.

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Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007 but their citizens have been temporarily prevented from working in the UK.

According to a British Labour Force sample survey, there are currently 26,000 Bulgarians and 80,000 Romanians living in the UK, but the actual numbers could be larger, according to the report.

Last month, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles admitted the Government had “no idea” about the size of the possible influx.

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