Migrant workers' hotline set up

A phone helpline for migrant workers in the East of England has been set up by the region's development agency.

Tens of thousands of migrant workers, particularly from Portugal and Poland, have settled in the eastern region.

The £86,000 Mobile Europeans Taking Action (META) Hotline, which provides support and guidance for migrant workers, went into operation this week.

The META Hotline number is 0871 423 1334 and is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 0800-1200 BST and 1400-1800 BST).

Callers to the hotline, funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) will be able to receive advice in Czech, English, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, or Russian.

Advisors are trained to provide information about rights to live and work in the UK, accommodation and housing, public services, driving in the UK, language training and adult education providers, and welfare benefits.

Mark Allison, manager for migrant workers at EEDA, said: "Until the launch of this pilot scheme there was no central point of information for migrant workers, or companies which employ them."