Government Announcement Increases Likelihood Of Continued Destitution Amongst Central And Eastern Europeans

9 April 2009

Homeless Link disappointed that tough restrictions on workers from Central and Eastern Europe are to remain in place.

Today, Border and Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas, announced that the Worker Registration Scheme, introduced by the Government to monitor Central and Eastern Europeans' access to the labour market and restrict their access to a welfare safety net, will remain in place.

Jenny Edwards, Chief Executive of homelessness umbrella group Homeless Link, said, "The Government's announcement today has wide reaching implications for homelessness charities. We are deeply disappointed that this unjustified scheme is being extended. The WRS has had limited success in measuring the employment patterns of A8 nationals and the indications have always been that migration is creating a substantial benefit for this country.

The WRS has never sought to limit the number of people from A8 countries coming here to work. It is therefore unclear how removing it will cause a 'serious disturbance to the labour market or threat thereof', as set out in the accession Treaty".

However, the WRS has created a significant barrier for the most vulnerable who are seeking to legally enter employment in the UK and it leaves those who fall out of work before 12 months with no welfare safety net."

Recent Homeless Link research shows that up to 1 in 4 rough sleepers in London are from Central and Eastern Europe, a figure that has increased from the previous year. Maintaining the WRS is likely to contribute to greater destitution among the most vulnerable and increase pressure on homelessness services at this difficult time.