5/8/08

- Bulgaria Seaside Not So Attractive To Scandinavians And Romanians ... - Living In Bulgaria


Bulgaria Seaside Not So Attractive to Scandinavians and Romanians ... - international.news.bg


Bulgaria Seaside Not So Attractive to Scandinavians and Romanians ...
international.news.bg, Bulgaria - Apr 9, 2008
The Britons on the other hand were in shock from local laws and now are selling the purchased from them apartments and villas in Bulgaria. ...
Bulgaria Seaside Not So Attractive to Scandinavians and Romanians ... - international.news.bg

Human Events - Boris And The Tories Trounce Labour - House


Boris and The Tories Trounce Labour - Human Events


Boris and The Tories Trounce Labour
Human Events, DC - May 6, 2008
Appropriately enough, May 2 is the day on the Orthodox Church calendar that honors Saint Boris of Bulgaria. Post-election comments -- penned in the daily ...
Boris and The Tories Trounce Labour - Human Events
Appropriately enough, May 2 is the day on the Orthodox Church calendar that honors Saint Boris of Bulgaria. As reported here last week, Johnson’s grandfather-- born Osman Ali-- was a Turkish journalist and (briefly) a minister in to the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. At home he followed a social democratic agenda and not the traditional socialist agenda.Gordon Brown was supposed to have been anti-EU, or a Euro-sceptic at least. Blair knew that Brown will be a disaster as PM and held off leaving office as long as possible. Boris points out that since his wife’s Mother is from India, their four children are truly multi-ethnic so he cannot be accused of cultural insensitivity. Boris was thought to be a clever Classics student. Bound only by the provisions of law and the rules of Parliament, a British Prime Minister, if they can carry, command or demand the support of his MPs in Parliament, can do anything they want. But by noon, the bookies had already declared Boris Johnson the new Mayor of London. By comparison, only 23 percent of the public voted for Labour placing that party in third place behind the Liberal Democrats who received 24 percent of the national votes. Conservative/libertarian mayor for London town! Continued Much of this rosy outlook for a future Conservative Party ascent to power depends on how Boris Johnson handles his new job. Demographically, this is important as one in every six London voters are from an ethnic minority - the largest and wealthiest of these being from Indian backgrounds. France is embracing capitalism and leading the way with alternative (nuclear) energy! He also managed to insult the residents of Liverpool and dissed one of the UK’s most popular TV chefs. He apologized for the first of these indiscretions, but took the blows on Liverpool and the chef. He has revealed that he is anything but.The EU constitution for which Blair promised a referendum was turned down by the voters of Franch and Holland and should have been scrapped. He is (technically) Constitutionally eligible to do just that as he was born in New York City. He says that if he does well, he might like to run for President of the United States someday. He told England’s most senior law enforcement officer that if London’s crime statistics are not dramatically and quickly improved, Blair can expect to be fired. He was absolutely correct.And you think the the existence of Super Delegates is open to manipulation and disenfranchisement, and is unrepresentative and iniquitous? He was reading the election results from across the United Kingdom and the news for Labour was devastating. He will be the canary in the coal mine, a political cliché not lost on the Welsh. His Cheshire Cat grin purred out: ‘told you so’ to Labourites and to critics who accused him of clinging to power. Ireland pulled itself out of serfdom and discovers the benefit of lower taxes! It was the Party’s worst showing in 40 years. Johnson and David Cameron go back 25 years, to their days as students at Eton and Oxford, two of England’s ultimate old boy’s educational clubs. Margaret Thatcher never lost an election and was not expected to lose the next one either, but she was fired anyway.Tony Blair has a certain amount of charisma, he was expected to be very CND (campaign for nuclear disarmament) and he was not. Margaret Thatcher, at the height of her power, enjoyed an absolute majority of about 130 members, Tony Blair at one time achieved about 160, while in the past Harold Wilson and others had majorities in single figures. Meanwhile, over at Number 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s single working brown eye was turning blue and possibly weeping. Nobody expected that he will do anything with the military except cut its budget, but happily we were wrong. Of course, he’d have to reapply to renew his recently relinquished American citizenship.Susan Easton is a third career theologian. Osman, a Muslim, relocated to England just after World War One and changed his name to Wilfred Johnson. Past episodes include Boris having once referred to black children as “picanninies” in a Spectator Magazine article. Polls indicate that only 32 percent of the public have confidence in the economy. Post-election comments-- penned in the daily newspapers from assorted left leaning grumblers, snidely suggested that it will take at least one saint (or a collection of them, plus a bevy of guardian angels) to keep Boris from dragging London down to a new level of hell. Reader Comments: (9)Here are the comments submitted by Human Events readers:Page 1Report Abusive PostThat "I'll sack the head of Metro if things don't get better." bit will play great. Rumor has it that Cameron called Johnson about his run for Mayor, but made him vow to clean up his act so the Tories will not be embarrassed by his notorious antics and boisterous sense of humor. Susan and her husband of 37 years, Terry, divide their time between homes in the Bay Area and London. The elder Johnson shared family photos which do prove the family are descended from natural blond Turks. The establishment threw out Margaret Thatcher because she was not pro-EU enough. The monarch can also (technically) dissolve Parliament at will, block elections, and so forth. The public do not get to participate, and eligibility to vote in these 'in-house elections' is not the same in each of the party organizations. The Tories garnered 46 percent of the votes. The winner in each constituency is declared by simple majority of votes cast for each candidate. These results were a reverse image of Labour’s victory, in 1995, under Tony Blair’s leadership. They own an estimated 10,000 businesses in greater London.Johnson’s management insensitivities are another matter. They won't get the same resistance from Cameron for he already appears to be just another eurofanatic..It was another strange manifestation of our election system. This fact was revealed in a TV interview given by Johnson’s Father, Stanley, a lively and engaging man in his own right. To assure Cameron of his sincerity, Johnson gave up drinking for three months. To that end, Cameron’s people are making sure that the best and the brightest available Tories surround Boris. Tongues wagged when a photo of a beaming Blair was snapped outside a chic Mayfair eatery on election night. Using slightly different methods and procedures the members of each political party select and privately elect the individual that they wish to be their leader. When an election is called, no later than 2010, the betting shops are already giving the odds to another Tory sweep and that means David Cameron will become the next Prime Minister. Young thugs know they can attack anybody smaller than they are or anybody they out number.

Sofia News Agency - 9 Dead, 28 Injured In Tourist Bus Crash In Egypt - Sofia


9 Dead, 28 Injured in Tourist Bus Crash in Egypt - Sofia News Agency


9 Dead, 28 Injured in Tourist Bus Crash in Egypt
Sofia News Agency, Bulgaria - May 1, 2008
Bulgaria: A total of nine people were killed and 28 injured after a tourist bus crashed and caught fire in Egypt, BBC reported Thursday. ...
9 Dead, 28 Injured in Tourist Bus Crash in Egypt - Sofia News Agency
Russians, Egyptians, Britons, Canadians, Italians, Romanians and Ukrainians are reported to be among the casualties - many of them badly burned. The bodies of the nine people killed were said to be badly burned, as are many of the injured, who have been taken to nearby hospitals. The bus, carrying 40 passengers, was apparently rounding a sharp bend when it overturned as it rounded a corner, hit a concrete barrier and burst into flames about 70 km south of the city of Suez. The UK Foreign Office confirmed four Britons were among the injured.

Times Online - All-Powerful Euro Leaves Holidaymakers Looking Elsewhere - Money


All-powerful euro leaves holidaymakers looking elsewhere - Times Online


All-powerful euro leaves holidaymakers looking elsewhere
Times Online, UK - Apr 25, 2008
The fall of the pound against the euro has prompted thousands of Britons to rethink their holiday plans. The cost of going to traditional destinations in ...
All-powerful euro leaves holidaymakers looking elsewhere - Times Online
A bottle of rum is 50 pence and a good meal is about 3 pounds. Cliff and Diana Waller,pensioners from Guildford, regularly take trips to France to stock up oncheap wine and cheese.In Normandy last week they were shocked by the prices. Ed , Elgin, USAIf the UK joined the Eurozone 7 years ago, there willn't be exchange rate problems now. Explore the wonders of the Golden State. Globrix, the property search engineLooking for a new home? Google “Chicago gangster tour”, “Chicago tourist attractions”. It is getting cold now as winter draws in. Lots of golf course, and some nice beaches. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. Not everybody is concerned about the price of baked beans!Bob Martin, Javea, SpainI just bought a nice bottle of chadonnay for 2 pounds as I head to a BBQ at the beach ten minutes away. Play our brand new interactive game: with added functionality and daily prizesCareer/JobsSkip Career/JobsForget burnout, boreout is the new office diseaseAre you irritable when you return from work? Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. Plus enter our great competitionTotally California:Are you California dreaming? See the super rich in Winnetka, Kenilworth and Lake Forest. See University of Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Cubs lose. Somemay decide that it is time to visit Egypt’s ancient attractions.The holidaymakers in the best position may be those who booked their holidaysmonths ago after last year’s summer washout in Britain. Take it from me, a European, a mistake of the highest order was made. The cost of theirholiday has not been affected by the recent currency fluctuations and manywill have signed up for half board at hotels.But Sean Tipton, spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents, saidthat people will need more spending money. They think of the price theyare paying in pounds sterling for their flight and accommodation, andremember prices on offer are those agreed last year.”However, for some operators it is not all gloom and doom. Unless they bought their euroswhen they booked their holidays they will find the pound buys 10 to 15 percent less this year than last. Wake up and smell the difference.E J Murray, Kerry, IrelandWe manage a number of properties in Javea on Spain´s Costa Blanca and our bookings are at record levels. We can get that in Loch Fyne forless,” Mrs Waller said. You can be suffering from boreoutPodcastsSkip PodcastsThe Bugle - John loves the PopeOne half of The Bugle goes Catholic crazy - the other doesn'tDrivingSkip DrivingJeremy Clarkson's greatest hitsPrepare for some shock and awe, petrol lovers.

- Slide Increase Of German Tourists, Drop Of Scandinavians In Bulgaria - Establish A Business


Slide Increase of German Tourists, Drop of Scandinavians in Bulgaria - international.news.bg


Slide Increase of German Tourists, Drop of Scandinavians in Bulgaria
international.news.bg, Bulgaria - Apr 21, 2008
The Germans that comes in Bulgaria with TUI present 33%, round 25% are Scandinavians, 20% - Britons, 5% - Belgians and 3% - Holland tourists. ...
Slide Increase of German Tourists, Drop of Scandinavians in Bulgaria - international.news.bg
Fact is that the German market is neither dramatically up, not dramatically down.

Trade Arabia - Britons Biggest Lottery Ticket Buyers - Money


Britons biggest lottery ticket buyers - Trade Arabia


Britons biggest lottery ticket buyers
Trade Arabia, Bahrain - Apr 12, 2008
When asked to rank a series of definitions of financial success, markets such as India, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Indonesia and, ...
Britons biggest lottery ticket buyers - Trade Arabia
Braverman said the definition of success in these markets is less about what people can afford and more about how they pay for it. Consumers in emerging markets are far more likely to attribute financial success to good luck rather than good management, and are also more likely to think about money and how to get it. In Saudi Arabia only 36 per cent of the respondents agreed on the statement that financial success is more due to good luck than good management.A series of agree/disagree questions explored how people feel about money and its relative importance in their lives. Managing director of Synovate Germany Harald Hasselmann said that in the case of Germany it is linked to their values. More than two thirds of Indonesians (83 per cent) agree with the statement 'I think about money - and how to get more of it - regularly', followed by 76 per cent in both India and Malaysia and 72 per cent in Saudi Arabia. Overall, the actions people take in developing and emerging markets are very similar. The main differences, other than the lottery, were that consumers in developed markets were more likely to use a financial planner or adviser, but this was still only one in every five. The number one definition of financial success in developed markets is 'I have no debt'. This was especially the case in the US and the UK, but also very evident in Australia, Netherlands and Canada.

Overseas Property And Investment News - Bulgaria Named The Cheapest Country In Europe - Village


Bulgaria named the cheapest country in Europe - Overseas Property and Investment News


Bulgaria named the cheapest country in Europe
Overseas Property and Investment News, UK - Apr 18, 2008
In fact, it is now at an all-time low against the euro, which means it will cost Britons much more to spend time in places such as Italy and France. ...
Bulgaria named the cheapest country in Europe - Overseas Property and Investment News
Search for Property in Bulgaria--> Select a Country...

- Local Property Market Sways Between Britons And Russians - British Citizens


Local Property Market Sways Between Britons and Russians - international.news.bg


Local Property Market Sways Between Britons and Russians
international.news.bg, Bulgaria - Apr 18, 2008
Bulgaria always loves to go from one extreme to another and now from 95% of Britons and Irish people wants to go to 95% Russians, Savov commented. ...
Local Property Market Sways Between Britons and Russians - international.news.bg
In the last months were marked 15 property deals.

- Bulgaria, 'Britain's Back Door' For East Europe - Lifestyle


Bulgaria, 'Britain's back door' for east Europe - Telegraph.co.uk


Bulgaria, 'Britain's back door' for east Europe
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Apr 21, 2008
Boyko Rashkov, Bulgaria's deputy justice minister, said more than 250 applications for Bulgarian citizenship were being processed by the Ministry of Justice ...
Bulgaria, 'Britain's back door' for east Europe - Telegraph.co.uk

- Romania: Room To Grow - Nightlife


Romania: Room to Grow - Balkanalysis.com


Romania: Room to Grow
Balkanalysis.com, AZ - May 5, 2008
By Oxford Business Group* During the upcoming spring holiday, thousands of Romanians will head south for the beaches of Bulgaria, eschewing their own Black ...
Romania: Room to Grow - Balkanalysis.com

- UK Ambassador Williams Expects Less Britons In Bulgaria This Summer - Things Britons Should Know


UK Ambassador Williams Expects Less Britons in Bulgaria this Summer - international.news.bg


UK Ambassador Williams Expects Less Britons in Bulgaria this Summer
international.news.bg, Bulgaria - Apr 9, 2008
‘Round 400, 000 - 500, 000 British tourists yearly spend their holidays in Bulgaria as the biggest part of them visit the Black Sea coast' - the UK ...
UK Ambassador Williams Expects Less Britons in Bulgaria this Summer - international.news.bg
He showed interest in building of the oil pipeline ‘Bourgas - Alexandroupolis' and how the realization process goes.

Property News - Risk Of Oversupply In Bulgaria 'Leads To Careful Development' - Cost Of Living


Risk of oversupply in Bulgaria 'leads to careful development' - Property News


Property News

Risk of oversupply in Bulgaria 'leads to careful development'
Property News, UK - 19 hours ago
Data from the Association of International Property Professionals indicates that the country was the fourth most popular destination for Britons who were ...
Risk of oversupply in Bulgaria 'leads to careful development' - Property News

Comes Top For Bargain Breaks Travelmail | Bulgaria - Guide

TravelMail | Bulgaria comes top for bargain breaks


guide,Destination guides: Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio
But can certainly improve upon your costs for good (and sometimes excellent) food and drink on the Black Sea Coast. TravelMail promotionsvar promotionsArray =[{imgsrc: "http://i.travelmail.co.uk//i/pix/tm//2008/05/Lobby_201X127.jpg",overview: "Radisson SAS have 155 hotels in 40 countries...

Bloghoster - Bulgaria Real Estate - Living In Bulgaria

Bulgaria Real Estate - BlogHoster


On the other hand the propertyprices are still low and that makes them even more attractive. One is sure-it is no more possible to profit from every single propertyin Bulgaria. Only best located and most qualityproperties are going to obtain good rental prices and best resalesduring the next years. Round 1000 Albion families have found their home in Bulgaria.The last investigations in UK show, that the most citizens between 18and 29, who are searching for a home, will like to live abroad. That makes the country a hot spotfor selective buy-to-let investment for the long term.Thetime is past when a Bulgarianproperty investment can return over 100% income ayear. Thecapital growth is about 15 %- more realistic than the registered inrecent years 20-30% income. Thenumber of the Britons, who live in Bulgaria has doubled for the lastyear. Till the end of the year theproperty deals are going to be 260 000, amounting to 5 billion EUR,adds Adrian Misgrave from �Bulgariaproperty.Looking for propertyin nessebar or propertyfor sale in bansko ? Today the gains percentage is reduced , but is still attractiveand even more reliable- about 30-35 % annually.

Bulgarian ... - Bpbulgarianproperties, Properties And Real Estate - House

Bpbulgarianproperties, Properties And Real Estate - Bulgarian ...


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Real Estate Company - Geoproperties - Money

GeoProperties - Real Estate Company


All you need to know is that to succeed in business in Bulgaria you have to be flexible, imaginative, original, quick on your feet and fast to change tracks. And all this bobbing and weaving will make you feel young, alive and fresh to your senses. Apart from the state medical institutions, there are also private ones. Arrivals lounge is only small with 2 luggage carousels. At the moment due to the lack of legislation there is no private health insurance. Avoid getting into an argument with the taxi driver even if you know he is cheating you, or at least be sure to get yourself and your belongings out of the car. Avoid using a rucksack and having your wallet in your back pocket. Best thing is call for a taxi from the phones available at the airport. Beware of this behaviour especially when you see flash cars. Bulgarians have not practiced business in the Western style at least 50 years. Cards are available from kiosks, some shops and some hotel receptions. Cases of highway robberies have been reported when robbers masquerading as police officers are stopping people for a spot check, or pretend they have troubles with their car and need help. Changing money on the street is illegal and you will definitely be cheated. Check the menu in Bulgarian and make sure you are not overcharged. Contact the embassy or the consular mission of your country. Credit cards are not widely acceptable in Bulgaria. Depending on your confidence and experience as a driver, driving in Bulgaria may seem quite chaotic. For example, punctuality, dress code, the use of “ what a reasonable person can expect” as a principle for negotiations and business discussions; or the term “gentlemen's word”. Furthermore, the rules written by the government are often irrational and changed often on a regular basis. Having a sense of humour is also a positive business asset. I know you'll thank us about that one – no problem! If you are fined and the fine is payable on the spot, always ask for a receipt (‘fiche'). If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel staff will inform the authorities for you – it's a routine procedure of registering all hotel guests. If you have a medical emergency it's crucial to contact your Insurance Company as soon as possible. If you order coffee in a bar or a restaurant, you will most probably get a small cup of very strong black coffee or ‘Turkish coffee' as you may call it. If you plan to stay in Bulgaria for a longer period of time and apply for a long-term residence, you need to obtain visa D from the Bulgarian Embassy in the UK. If you want to send a parcel abroad, you will need to go to a central post office. If you want to use the toilets, they are located outside the arrivals lounge, downstairs. In a lot of them you can try typical local dishes and international cuisine. In Bulgaria when you say ‘Thank you' to the waiter it means ‘You can keep the change'. In Bulgaria you will find that food is usually served warm rather than piping hot, as it is considered healthier. In case of lost or damaged luggage, please see the officer at the desk and fill in a Property Irregularity Report before you leave the airport. In general they offer better conditions and often you will find doctors working in both state and private clinics. In many eating out places you will find that food is served when it is ready regardless of the way it is ordered. It is often a favourite place for the pickpockets, so be aware. It is always a good idea to check your bill carefully and make sure no extra items have been added especially if you are a bigger group. It is quite strong and usually goes with a salad or a starter. It is still undergoing reforms that even experts cannot explain. It shows your satisfaction from the service and you are free to leave the respective amount. J ELECTRICITY Bulgaria operates on 220 volt. Most of the people will light a cigarette without even asking first at meetings or while others are eating. Nevertheless you can still ask the manager of the place for non-smoking table and show that there is a demand for it. Only very few restaurants (not to say almost none) offer non-smoking areas. Outside the arrivals lounge you will also find a small coffee shop where you can buy drinks and snacks; some tourist offices and Rent-a-car desk. Please always check the taxi rates before you go in the car, or make sure you and driver agree on the same price. Please do not rely on credit cards for local purchases especially in small towns and villages. Police officers are instructed to identify themselves. Road signs follow international standards and major routes and destinations are spelled in Cyrillic and Latin. Some exchange offices do have quite unfair way of advertising their rates and what you see on their boards is not what you'll get in the end. The standard continental two-pin plug is used. The best thing to do is to avoid and completely ignore all the accidental people that might approach you and ask you to change money on the street. The fare is 0,50 stotinki to the city centre and 1,50 to Golden sands resort. The national alcohol drink is called “rakia” and can be produced of grapes, plums or other fruits. There is a popular joke saying that in Bulgaria there are no traffic rules but traffic suggestions J . There is however no need to feel daunted as long as you are driving carefully and stick to the rules. Therefore do not be surprised when for example you phone a company and someone picks up the phone and says ‘Hello' as if they are answering their phone at home. Therefore, always make clear when you will like to have your food and point it out to the waiter. Therefore, avoid traveling at night and do not stop in isolated places. There's very little consideration for non-smokers. They are either orange Bulfon or blue Mobika prepaid card phones. They are usually the type that to Brits is known as ‘Turkish toilet'. They have to notify the authorities of their address of staying. This does not apply to third country nationals residing permanently in the UK. This is what makes business here so interesting and so much fun. Tickets are purchased on board the bus. To make a call you need to purchase a phone card for the prepaid phones. Trolleys are sometimes difficult to find especially in the summer when 3 or 4 flights arrive at the same time. Unfortunately in many state hospitals and clinics you might find appalling conditions and brilliant and professional staff. Very few restaurants, cafes, hotels or public institutions have no smoking areas. We strongly advise you though not to drink and drive! What is offered is usually Black tea, fruit flavoured tea or herbs that are not very correctly called tea by all Bulgarians – in most cases not the kind of tea the British like. What you may observe while driving is overtaking on the inside, failing to obey the ‘STOP' and ‘Give Way” signs, not sticking to speed limits, jumping lights and not flashing indicators. When you are staying in a hotel, it's always advisable to keep your money, valuables, jewelry and passports in a safety deposit box in the hotel. While driving in Bulgaria, only uniformed policemen with white Opel Astra police automobiles may stop you for a check-up. You can use them in some high-class hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. You can buy stamps and send mail in smaller offices. You can either wait till they bring your change and decide how much to leave as a tip or round up the bill and leave the exact amount of money. You can have a Life insurance with a private company and as additional risks to that one you can have coverage for hospitalization. You may also have to pay for a restaurant toilet although you should not in the reputable ones. You will end up with out of date, foreign or forged notes. You will find plenty of restaurants and fast food places in the cities.

Bulgaria Latest News - Things Britons Should Know

Latest News Bulgaria


Basically the rental agreement will state who, what, when, and how much... Here are 5 tips to planning a successful property inspection trip.... Subscribe now click hereForget your password? The agent tells you they can arrange a viewing trip for you or you can of course make all the arrangements yourself, but how can you ensure you have a successful viewing trip and that you get the most out of your visit. The Internet is quickly becoming the medium of choice by property owners and real estate professionals alike to market and sell large and small property transactions.... The signals came from the last week's International Tourism Bourse (ITB),... These characters include ( ) @ , ; : \ " . You may rent real estate to park vehicle(s), storage, office/business space, agricultural, institutional, or government use, and of course housing.

Debates For 06 Nov 2007 (Pt 0019) House Of Commons Hansard - Move

House of Commons Hansard Debates for 06 Nov 2007 (pt 0019)


A points system will soon come into place. A single border force will soon deliver tougher policing at ports and airports. All I ask is that we let the process begin.9.54 pmThe Minister for Borders and Immigration (Mr. Alongside that, we have also set up the migration impact forum, to bring together public service leaders in this country to advise us on where the wider impacts and pressures of migration are being felt.My right hon. An intelligent debate about the balance is needed, and we need to have that debate in a grown-up way. Another decision on that issue will be taken, I understand, at the end of next year. Any talk of British work for British people will serve only to worsen the situation.There is also, in dealing with the issue of the Romanians’ and Bulgarians’ restrictions, the issue of the number of British citizens who are working abroad. Applicants deserve an answer, and if they have no right to stay in the United Kingdom they need to be removed quickly. As he says, that really is to be commended.Wider changes are falling into place in the immigration system over the next 12 months; indeed, they are the biggest changes that we have ever seen to that system in a single year. As I have not had the chance to do so on the Floor of the House, may I also congratulate him on his chairmanship of the Home Affairs Committee, which is already shaping up quite an interesting agenda on the migration front for the months ahead? Back then, much of this debate was conducted in the language of race. Byrne: I will address that point in a moment or two, because it is important and I want to respond to it.The wider debate about immigration needs to be led in a new way. Cabinet Ministers talked about the “colour problem” before legislation on this issue was passed in 1962. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): Order. Does the Minister feel that the Prime Minister’s use of the phrase “British jobs for British people” makes a mature and constructive contribution to the debate?Mr. Every position that is filled will require justification and an account kept of how many British jobs there are. Foreign investment in Romania is at an all-time high, as is employment, with only 2 per cent. Friend has consistently championed the case for Bulgaria and Romania, and he has invested considerable time in understanding this question in Bulgaria and Romania as well as here. Friend has had the chance to read this morning’s edition of The Birmingham Post. Friend in congratulating The Birmingham Post on its excellent front-page editorial. Friend in paying tribute to the work of our ambassadors in Bulgaria and Romania, and of the diplomatic representatives of Bulgaria and Romania in this country.I should reaffirm that the UK is committed to the principles of the single market. Friend is as ambitious as I am for those changes to succeed, but I am ambitious for something broader still: the debate about immigration that we have in this country needs to be based not on anecdote but on evidence. Friend might have added that all the evidence points to migrants from the accession countries being young. Friend the Foreign Secretary, I visited Bucharest to assess for myself the impact that restrictions were having on workers from Romania and Bulgaria. Friend the Member for Airdrie and Shotts (John Reid) commented—“not fit for purpose”.I have constituents who have been waiting for up to four years for a response to their applications. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on securing this important debate. Friend was correct to underline how right it was for the Conservative candidate in Halesowen to resign. Friend’s comments, and a concern about the way in which values are protected, preserved and enhanced, rather than diminished, in immigration policy. Friend, I should say that he is absolutely right to point to the wider debate about immigration that we are having, and need to have, in this country. Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): I am grateful to the Minister for giving way, and I congratulate the right hon. He is an excellent European, and I am sure that he will not mind my saying that he is an idealist without illusions. He is right to say that the report showed that about £6 billion was added to our economy in 2006. I also had the opportunity to meet the Romanian Prime Minister, Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, and other Ministers. I am glad that the Home Office report was of use to my right hon. I am reluctant to intervene on the right hon. I am still shocked at the way in which we reversed our position on the highly skilled migrant workers programme. I am very grateful for the advice tendered to us by both Governments as we put together the evidence base on which the Cabinet made its decision earlier this year.Before I respond to some of the detailed points made by my right hon. I believe that the fear of immigration that we experience is a result of faults in the system, faults that, in my view, can be resolved.Last week the Department for Work and Pensions apologised for erroneous immigration figures. I believe that there are signs that a new consensus is emerging. I must add that I myself have waited for four months to meet the Minister to discuss individual cases. I think he was at the Helsinki summit when the then Prime Minister made his promise to push for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania. I very much look forward to appearing before him on 27 November, when we will discuss this issue in a little more detail.My right hon. I welcome the announcement that that issue will be kept under constant review through various methods, including the migration impacts forum, of which my hon. If someone has another citizenship but they have indefinite leave to remain in the UK, they have a right to work.Hopes are falsely raised whenever “British jobs” are mentioned. If the Government’s statistics are wrong, how can their policies be right? If they are equal members of the EU, they should be full members, and not treated as second-class citizens. In 2006 EUROSTAT estimated that around 800,000 British citizens were working in the EU, outside the UK, some in Romania and Bulgaria. In London we have more than 300 different nationalities living side by side. Indeed, A8 migrant workers are overwhelmingly concentrated between the ages of 18 and 34, and only 4 per cent. It also raises the question: how do we ensure that jobs are going to British people and what do we classify as British? It assumes that foreign workers are somehow stealing jobs from United Kingdom workers, an idea for which there is absolutely no evidence. It being Ten o’clock, the motion for the Adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put. It found that the current immigration process had had a negative effect on the way in which some public services operate, to varying extents. It is a vitally important context for this decision, and the tone of respect and mutual obligation in which he composed his remarks is precisely the one that we should hear in this debate. It is entirely wrong that such a serious mistake was made in an area that is so emotive and sensitive.That error has understandably had an effect on the public’s confidence in the way in which immigration is dealt with in this country. It is interesting to reflect over the past 30 or 40 years of this 6 Nov 2007 : Column 126debate, and to look at some of the things that are different and others that have stayed the same. It is shocking that, in this day and age, it is acceptable in some quarters to criticise someone on the basis of the country they came from. It is something that we can be proud of and celebrate.Against that current backdrop and the fear about immigration, it came as no surprise to me that the Cabinet made its decision to retain the restrictions on 6 Nov 2007 : Column 125Romania and Bulgaria. It is therefore regrettable that, every now and again, we hear throwbacks to that unfortunate side of the debate 30 or 40 years ago. It is vastly under-resourced, understaffed, and—as the former Home Secretary, my right hon. It lacks credible arguments, and some have suggested that it appears to amount to little more than employment apartheid. It ran an excellent front-page leader in which it makes the point that Mr. It will seem logical that the Romanian Government will welcome the UK restrictions, as they will encourage Romania’s citizens to stay at home.For the Romanians, however, the matter is one of principle. Liam Byrne): I congratulate my right hon. London’s diversity has made it the cultural and financial capital of Europe. Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on securing tonight’s Adjournment debate. Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.— [Tony Cunningham.]6 Nov 2007 : Column 127Mr. My concern—and, I think, that of my fellow citizens—is that those erroneous figures may have been used in the process of setting Government policy. No one wants a wide-open door, but no one wants a door that is slammed shut either. Of course, we led the way in opening up our labour market when eight countries joined the EU in 2004, and our intention is to continue that process by opening our labour market to Bulgaria and Romania, albeit more gradually. Only this September we heard reports of the French police raiding homes and squats in Calais with tear gas, attempting to find illegal immigrants. Secure borders will give the public greater confidence in our immigration system, and they will be less resentful of those who are here legitimately.6 Nov 2007 : Column 124There has also been talk recently of the importance of British jobs for British people. Such delays are unacceptable.We should be asking our European neighbours to play a larger role, and to construct and engage in a process to deal effectively with illegal immigration. That is not true any more.There are two themes from those early debates that are still with us: a concern about public services, which was at the heart of some of my right hon. That is only 300,000 people fewer than the 1.1 million foreign workers in the UK and that figure does not include British workers based further afield, figures on which are not available. That is the new balance that we have tried to strike in taking the decision on Bulgaria and Romania.The first thing, therefore, that we had to weigh up was the evidence of the benefits. That is unacceptable to the Home Office and the country, as well as to the applicants themselves. That is why we have been awarded the honour of hosting the Olympic games in 2012, and why the internal cultural conflict predicted by Enoch Powell was so wrong. That is why we have set up the migration advisory committee, to provide the Government and those in the public domain, if truth be told, with evidence about where in the economy we need migration and where we do not. That serves to demonstrate not only that Britain benefits from migrants working in the UK, but that British people benefit from the agreements that allow that to happen, as it means that there is free movement of labour. The accession of Romania and Bulgaria is simply the next step and, with improvements in the process of immigration, I am certain that, within the next few years, Romanian and Bulgarian citizens will be welcomed with full working rights. The Birmingham media have consistently struck a tone of tolerance and engagement with this issue that is entirely appropriate. The British public have a right to expect accurate figures. The debate is about the balance, and that is why we will continue to have arguments about what is precisely the right balance. The employment rate among A2 migrants is even higher at 91 per cent. The EU and the free movement of labour within it enriches our country and our citizens. The fact is that, in this country, over the past century, we have entered into many agreements with European and Commonwealth countries, which means that we are obligated under treaties, rightly, to give jobs to people who are not British, based on merit. The fundamental problem appears to be not immigration itself but implementation, and the way in which funding is allocated. The Home Affairs Committee, which I have the privilege of chairing, will examine the issue on 27 November. The LGA sensibly suggests that the solution is to create a central pot of money for which local 6 Nov 2007 : Column 123authorities can apply when experiencing a higher-than-average number of migrants. The LGA suggests that local services struggle because they are not given the money that they need to serve the number of people who use them, as the allocation is based on the national census, which does not include the majority of immigrants. The most prevalent problem now is the shortage of skilled and unskilled labour, with some estimates calculating that as many as 10 per cent. The press have a very important role to play in this area, and such comment is well worth commending.Mr. The publication made a number of key points, the most significant being the finding that £6 billion a year of growth is attributable to migrants. The restrictions have made the Romanians believe that in the eyes of the UK and the rest of the EU they are not equal partners. The Romanian Government have agreed to give evidence at the session, and we look forward to seeing the Minister on that occasion.The decision to retain the restrictions must be seen against the background of a wide range of issues and debates surrounding immigration. The TUC has enthusiastically agreed with those findings.On 1 November 2007, the Local Government Association published a report examining the effect that immigration has had on public services. There are Indian and other citizens who came to this country to work hard and to help our economy, and they have been treated very badly.Mr. Those two features of the debate will, and should, stay with us over the months to come. To find out why the restrictions were retained, it is vital that we ask the question: why are we still afraid of immigration?At the end of October this year, the Home Office published a report entitled, “The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Immigration”. We are constantly made aware of the problems in Calais, with immigrants attempting to enter the UK illegally. We have the best economy in Europe, achieved under the skilled leadership of the Prime Minister. We will introduce biometric ID cards.My right hon. We will soon count people in and out of the country.

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