Ministers keep their options open
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Officially, the Government insists that the dramatic expansion of the European Union will have only a negligible impact on Britain.
An academic study commissioned by the Home Office concluded that between 5,000 and 13,000 economic migrants from Poland, the Czech Republic and the other eight EU "accession countries" would travel to Britain.
Privately, however, ministers admit the prediction is a stab in the dark, based on the experience of previous EU expansions, notably the admission of Spain and Portugal in 1986.
There could also be a serious flaw in the research as it failed to take into account the decision by France and Italy - which could have been popular destinations for migrants - to impose border controls.
In addition, ministers have been rattled by the decision of traditionally liberal Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands to take a similarly tough line after the expansion on 1 May.
They fear that if Britain stands alone without a work permit scheme, it could become a magnet for economic migrants. For that reason they are keeping open the option of imposing work permits on citizens of the new entrant countries if the influx of migrants materialises.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments