To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of the A8 states have completed a year on the Worker Registration Scheme and are entitled to full access to benefits. (263737)

[holding answer 16 March 2009]: Data on the number of nationals of the A8 states that have completed 12 months continuous employment in the UK and have consequently ceased to be subject to the registration requirement are not available. The effect of the registration requirement is to restrict access to tax-funded, income related benefits subject to a habitual residence test, including income support and income-based jobseeker’s allowance.