Conservative backbencher Nigel Mills has tabled an interesting
amendment to the Immigration Bill, which would prolong restrictions
on Romanian and Bulgarian workers until 2018.
It is difficult to see how such a provision, if it remains
in the Bill, could be lawful, as it would contradict European
law. This much has been recognised by current Immigration Minister
Mark Harper and it is immensely unlikely that the amendment will
prosper and be included in the final version of the Bill.
Consequently, this looks to be more a case of points scoring
by the Conservative backbenches in anticipation of the European and
national elections.
As you will doubtlessly know, none of the major parties oppose
the Bill's big ticket items, such as healthcare charges and
obligations for residential landlords, and readers are advised to
prepare for whatever changes the Bill has in store for them.
I'll summarise what the end of Romanian and Bulgarian
restrictions means for employers soon.
