Letter to the Editor: New EU citizens working in Britain

From Mr Roland Rudd
 
Sir: The second anniversary of the accession of 10 new countries into the European Union falls on 1 May. The arrival of the counties of Eastern and Central Europe (plus Cyprus and Malta) precipitated the influx of 100 million citizens into the Union. The legitimate concerns that arise from the flow of people across borders (at present demonstrated by the controversy over the release of foreign prisoners) should not detract from the enormous benefits of freer migration.

The accession was preceded by many prophets of doom, who suggested that the UK would be overrun by immigrants from these countries and that our benefits system an infrastructure would not be able to cope. In fact the opposite has happened. The three EU countries which have immediately opened their labour markets and welcomed foreign workers - Britain, Ireland and Sweden - have largely benefited.

Far from creating difficulties, the enlargement in 2004 has presented opportunities for the UK business community. This bodes well for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria in the next couple of years, and the potential membership of Turkey in the longer term.

Roland Rudd
Chairman, Business for New Europe, London EC2