The number of eastern Europeans registered to work in Britain has risen sharply to 232,000, greatly exceeding government estimates of the inflow that would follow the enlargement of the European Union.

Home Office figures released yesterday show about 14,000 people a month come to work in the UK, more than the annual total of 5,000 to 13,000 forecast in a government-commissioned study last year. The figures debunk the myth that Britain is the favoured destination for the itinerant Polish plumber. Only 95 from eastern Europe sought work on British pipes since last summer, while 12,000 of their compatriots were employed in restaurant kitchens, and 41,000 in factories.