UK Worried over Upcoming 'Influx' of Bulgarians, Romanians

UK Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has warned that an "influx" of Romanians and Bulgarians would add to the existing housing problems in the country.

However, Pickles refused to give an estimate of the numbers of people who might move to Britain after getting the right to live and work in the UK in December.

"The truth is I don't think anybody entirely knows the number that will come from Bulgaria and Romania," he told the BBC.

"Given that we've got a housing shortage, any influx from Romania and Bulgaria is going to cause problems - it's going to cause problems, not just in terms of the housing market but also on social housing markets."

According to the BBC, the government's migration advisory committee says there is evidence that Bulgarians would move to Britain because of its stronger economy, and it was "plausible" Romanians would come for the same reason.

Romania and Bulgaria's citizens can move to Britain for work when temporary limits expire on December 31 2013.