Bulgarian and Romanian migrants will have to show they can fill skills gaps in the UK before being allowed to work here, according to reports.

A national newspaper has carried comments from an anonymous Cabinet minister saying there will be a work permits system. The Home Office has not denied the story, but says no decision has yet been made.

Government figures have revealed that about 600,000 people have come looking for work in the UK since the eight countries in eastern and central Europe joined the European Union in 2004.