The following is an extract of the Home Office guidance made available to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals who enter the UK after 1st January 2007.

"GUIDANCE FOR NATIONALS OF BULGARIA AND ROMANIA ON OBTAINING PERMISSION TO WORK IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

1. The purpose of this guidance is to explain what, if you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania, you and your family will need to do if you wish to take employment in the United Kingdom after 1st January 2007. It explains what sort of documents you may be required to obtain in order to work legally and the steps you should take to do so. It also explains what you can do if you are coming to or present in the United Kingdom for some other purpose (for example, study or self-employment) and you wish to obtain a document confirming your status.

2. From 1st January 2007 you will be able to move and reside freely in any Member State. You will not require leave to enter or remain to reside legally in the UK. You will have a right of residence in any EU Member State for the first 3 months of residence on an unrestricted basis and remain legally resident in that state as long as you wish, providing you are exercising a treaty right as a student, a self-employed person, or if you are self-sufficient (and not economically active)."

Could you please let me know the number and approximate ages of Romanian nationals, who have entered the UK since 1st January 2007, that SBC is currently providing regular help for? Please also let me know the nature of the help, the total cost since 1st January 2007 and the legislation under which the help has been provided?

Of those currently being helped, how many have resided here for 3 months or longer? Has the Home Office or IND been contacted for advice on the residence status (treaty right) of those resident for longer than 3 months, and if so what guidance or advice has been provided?