Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to Romanian and Bulgarian workforce figures said: 

“These figures are very different from the predictions some people made before Christmas and whilst it’s too early to have long term figures, it shows the importance of sensible debate rather than shrill claims.

“But the Government needs to do more to address people’s legitimate concerns. Ministers aren’t doing enough to stop employers and agencies exploiting cheap migrant labour particularly from Eastern Europe to undercut wages and jobs.

"We do want stronger controls on new European countries in future, but we also need action on zero hours contracts, agencies only recruiting from abroad and the undercutting of the minimum wage. That needs tougher laws here and reform in Europe too. 

"Immigration is important for Britain’s economy but it needs to be properly controlled and managed, with reforms to make sure the system is fair.

“David Cameron’s net migration target is failing badly while none of the other parties - neither the Tories, Lib Dems or UKIP - are prepared to take action against the agencies and employers who are unfairly exploiting immigration and hitting jobs and wages as a result.”