An advertising campaign highlighting the pitfalls of life in the UK such as the rain expected to drench the country this week could be used by the Government to put off would-be immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria.
The measure is reported to be among ideas being considered by officials seeking ways to curb the expected arrivals from the two newest European Union member states when temporary restrictions expire in December.
They are also looking at the potential to deport anyone who failed to find work within three months of arriving or to show they could support themselves for six months.
No official estimate has been put on the anticipated number of arrivals – with ministers wary of the situation when Poland joined the EU and much larger numbers than predicted came to the UK.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has admitted such an influx would “cause problems” with services such as housing, with the highest numbers likely to pick London boroughs which already have significant populations from the countries.
However, he insisted it was not “reasonable” to assume that 300,000 would move to the UK – the figure suggested by some Tories based on migration levels after Poland, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Lithuania acceded.
The Government has confirmed it will not seek to extend temporary curbs on 29 million Romanian and Bulgarian nationals’ right to live and work in Britain, which are due to expire in December.
