According to some news reports, a research conducted at the migration observatory, at Oxford University, there would be an increase in excess of 25%, at this time (in this time period) from the same time period last year, in the figures for Bulgarian and Romanian workers and migrants. According to one of the lead researchers at the Migration Observatory, Dr Carlos Villas-Silva, there would be a definite increase in the number of migrant workers from the first quarter in 2013, to the first quarter in 2014.
In fact, according to Dr. Villas-Silva, the figure for Romanians and Bulgarians in the UK may stand at a high 200,000 when the new statistics are put out, the later part of this week. If this turns out to be true, it would be a great source of embarrassment for the prime minister, Dr. Cameron. In the UK, there is considerable disapproval and even hostility to immigration in large numbers from outside, especially from the EU. And, there is a political party in the UK, UK Independence Party (UKIP), which is opposed to immigration, as well as to the UK continuing in the EU.
As a matter of fact, the present prime minister and the party he heads, the right-wing Conservative Party too oppose immigration. In fact, during the election campaign the present PM had promised to bring down immigration to the level of thousands from the then millions, in number. His government which is/was a coalition government introduced a number of measures such as changes in visa rules, primarily to bring down the levels of immigration.
Critics are arguing that these measures have only brought about changes which have affected the economy in a negative way, but have left the problem of increasing and increased migration intact.
Thus, there is still the problem from citizens from the other EU countries from Southern and Eastern Europe migrating in large numbers. And, this could ensure that the debate about immigration, EU membership, high unemployment, etc. continues in the UK.
