The first Romanians and Bulgarians with unrestricted access to the UK labour market have begun to arrive, despite last-ditch efforts to prevent a feared wave of fresh immigration.
Romanians landing at Luton Airport were greeted by Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz, who said those arriving provided just a “snapshot” of those expected to come to the country over the coming months.
The 180-seat aircraft from Tirgu Mures only had 140 passengers on board, he said, most of whom already live and work in the UK.
“Just on the conversations we’ve had with people who have come here, a lot of them are returning people. They already work in Britain and they’re coming back after a holiday, so they’re not people coming here for the first time,” Mr Vaz said.
“We’ve seen no evidence of people who have rushed out and bought tickets in order to arrive because it’s the first of January.
“We’d be surprised if they did so. This is, after all, only a snapshot.
“But we do need to resolve this issue in the future and it’s an issue for the whole of the EU to resolve so we don’t get these kinds of dramas at the end.”
Mr Vaz criticised the “panic measures” ahead of the temporary curbs imposed in 2005 on citizens of Romania and Bulgaria being lifted.
Ninety senior Conservatives attempted to block the move in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, arguing he could invoke a clause in EU law to keep the borders shut.
However, ministers denied such a move would be feasible.
Most of the Romanians arriving on the 7.40am flight already worked in the UK but Victor Spiresau was coming to the country for the first time.
The 30-year-old, who said he earned 10 euros a day working in construction at home, said he hoped to make 10 euros an hour here but was not planning on settling.
“I don’t come to rob your country. I come to work and then go home,” he said. “Here you pay a lot; in Romania it’s very cheap.”
Mr Spiresau said he already has work lined up washing cars in London.