This is a stunning
survey, which the BBC has rather desperately tried to play down. The
percentages look small but when multiplied by the size of the work force they
produce large numbers. One percent of Romanians of working age (total 15.4
million) actively considering work in the UK amounts to 150,000 and four
percent of working age Bulgarians (total 4.9 million) is another 200,000. Even
if one takes only those making concrete plans, the number of Romanians is
61,000 and the number of Bulgarians 58,000 or nearly 120,000 in total.
Not all will come of course and polls of intentions are notoriously difficult
but others may well come once their friends are installed.
Commenting on the poll, Sir Andrew Green, Chairman of Migration Watch UK
said:
“These figures suggest that the Migration Watch central estimate of
50,000 a year is distinctly cautious. Numbers suggested on the scale by this survey would make it impossible
for the Government to sustain their target of tens of thousands, assuming they
reach it by the end of the parliament.”
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