HC Deb 17 May 2004 vol 421 c780W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who will operate the New Workers Registration Scheme; [161408]

(2) what (a) budgetary and (b) staffing resources are to be allocated to the New Workers Registration Scheme; [161409]

(3) when the New Workers Registration Scheme will commence operations; [161410]

(4) what target is to be set concerning the average time for the processing of work registration applications; [161411]

(5) whether specific arrangements are to be made for Scotland under the New Workers Registration Scheme. [161412]

Mr. Browne

[holding answer 15 March 2004]: The Worker Registration Scheme, announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in his statement to the House on 23 February 2004, Official Report, columns 23–25, will be administered by the Home Office through its Work Permits (UK) operation in Sheffield. A dedicated team of 42 staff is being deployed initially to administer the scheme, the resources for which will form part of the WP (UK) budget for 2004–05.

The Worker Registration Scheme has been operational since 1 May and applications have been accepted from this date onwards. Further guidance for applicants, including the application form and guidance, are available on the "Working in the UK" website (www.workingintheuk.gov.uk).

My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) indicated to the House on 2 March 2004, Official Report, columns 877–80, that the Worker Registration Team will aim to process 80 per cent. of applications within 24 hours of receipt, following payment clearance. Incomplete applications will take longer to process.

Citizens of the new member states (with the exception of Malta and Cyprus) who take up employment in Scotland will need to apply to register with the Home Office when they start a job, in the same way as those taking up employment in the rest of the UK. Employers in Scotland will be required to satisfy themselves that accession country nationals in their employment have received registration under the scheme.