In reply to seankenny:
> Is this, or isn't this, something that's been on the cards for five years as part of European enlargement?
I don't think anyone actually answered your question Sean, but yes, the UK introduced a five year transition period on Bul. and Rom. and that is nearly up as it's five years since they joined. The UK (and Ireland) actually acted rather honourably for the 2004 enlargement (Poland, Czech, Hung., Cyprus, Baltics + some others I've forgotten I'm sure!). Most of the the pre-existing EU members (the EU-15) instituted 'transition periods' - i.e. Germany not allowing free movement of Polish labour for five years. IIRC this was probably illegal really but because France and Germany wanted it, some weaselly way was found. Anyway, as a result, the UK and Ireland saw a disproportionate number of Poles, Lats, Estonians, Czechs etc. trying to find work there because they couldn't go to Germany or France. When 2007 came around and Romania and Bulgaria joined, the UK govt. said 'this time we're having a transition period', and that's what is about to run out.
I have a Romanian mate who's brother found himself a job in Sheffield but couldn't get a work visa because of this. Seemed a bit of shame as he wanted to stay in the UK for a bit and get some experience, and the bloke who wanted to employ him couldn't find a local to take the job, but IIRC because my mate's brother doesn't have a degree, the job was considered low skilled and Romanians couldn't get visas for that. Had it been a more specialist job that needed a degree, he would have been able to get one.