The Government, stung by criticism over the number of Eastern European workers who flooded into the UK when the EU expanded two years ago, is planning a work permit system to ensure Bulgarian and Romanian workers have the skills needed by UK businesses.

If they can't prove they can fill gaps in the market, they won't be allowed into the country, Ananova reported. Bulgaria and Romania are two of the poorest countries in the EU and both have high levels of unemployment.

Around 447,000 Eastern Europeans have migrated to Britain to find work since EU enlargement two years ago.