Immigration rules may have to be relaxed to stem labour shortages as fewer eastern European workers come to the UK, employer groups have warned.

The number of migrants registering to work from eight of the countries that joined the EU in 2004 (known as the “A8”) is at its lowest level since accession, government figures have revealed. Worsening economic conditions and the fall in the value of the pound are thought to be the main reasons behind the decline.