Tory MPs: Theresa May must assess if EU migration is 'excessive' The amendments come as the government attempts to head off a Conservative rebellion over unrestricted migration from Bulgaria and Romania. Temporary restrictions were lifted on January 1 amid growing concerns that an influx of migrants could put a strain on schools, the NHS and jobs market. More than 70 Tory MPs have signed an amendment which would ban Romanian and Bulgarian migrants from coming to Britain until at least 2019. However, the amendment does not have the backing of Labour or the Lib Dems and ministers have privately said it would be illegal. Some Tory ministers instead favour a series amendments tabled Stephen Phillips, a Tory MP, and six other moderate backbenchers. One of the amendments states that if migration levels from the EU are considered excessive, the Home Secretary must produce a report setting out her views on "the effects of the excessive EU immigration in the United Kingdom, including the effects on the labour market, and the steps which [she] will take." Another amendment states the government must commission a report from the Migration Advisory Committee, or another independent body, on the impact of any new members of the European Union. The report would have to set out the "extent to which those changes [the accession of new EU member states] would adversely affect the interests of the United Kingdom." Many Tory MPs and critics were incensed by the government's failure to provide an official forecast of the number of Romanian and Bulgarians expected to come to Britain. Stephen Barclay, one of the Tory MPs who signed the amendment, said: "This amendment recognises the very real concern of my constituents and those of colleagues elsewhere in the country. It also reflects the real and unavoidable constraints under which ministers must act. The amendments will mean greater transparency and improve public debate on this issue. However Nigel Mills, a Conservative MP, said that the proposals would not do enough to allay the concerns of Tory backbenchers. He said: "They have clearly been drafted by the Home Office. They are government amendments being tabled by friendly backbenchers. The concern is that it does not present any real reform. There's nothing wrong with the amendments, but there is no definition of what 'excessive' means - is that 100,000 or 1 million? Even if she says it is excessive what will actually happen? A Home Office spokesman said: "Hard-working people expect an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants and tough on those who flout the law. The Immigration Bill will help deliver it. As with all legislation, any amendments tabled, whether by the government, Opposition or backbenchers, are for Parliament to consider in the usual way.