UK Saw 19% Increase in Bulgarian, Romanian Workers in 2013

The official stance of the UK government is that the labor restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians will be lifted from January 1, 2014. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The number of Romanians and Bulgarians working in the UK has risen by 19 per cent in the past year, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics has reported a steady increase since 2010 in the number of workers from the two EU newcomers.

The number of Romanian and Bulgarian nationals working in the UK has risen by 35,000 over the last three years.

The Times believes that “thousands more” are expected to head to Britain from January, when the working restrictions they face now are lifted.

Claims have been made by a number of British tabloids and politicians over the past few months that the UK should brace for a massive"influx" of Bulgarian and Romanian migrants after the end of 2013. It has been claimed that lifting the restriction would "put pressure" on housing, infrastructure, schools, and heath care.

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