The Government has confirmed that the Worker Registration Scheme will be withdrawn at the end of April 2011. Under the scheme, which was introduced in 2004, workers from the so-called A8 countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia) were required to register their first 12 months continuous employment with the Home Office. As long as they remained in registered work they were granted the 'Right To Reside', without which they would not be enititled to many social security benefits or social housing.

After 12 months continuous registered work, workers were granted the same rights as workers from any of the other EU states. Workers who lost their employment before completing 12 months continuous registered work, lost their Right to Reside and all entitilement to benefits such as Job Seeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Child Tax Credit.

The UK was initially allowed to restrict access to its labour market in this way for 5 years from 2004. However, the EU granted the UK an extension of a further 2 years in 2009 and it is that extension which expires on 30th April 2011. At that time, A8 Nationals will be free to work without restrictions and will have the same rights to claim benefits as other EU Nationals exercising Treaty rights.

Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals (the so-called A2 States) will still be restricted to Authorised work when the WRS is withdrawn. The restrictions in place for Bulgarians and Romanians are due to be lifted in December 20011, however the Government can request a further 2 year extension on these restrictions, to December 2013