Are there too many Poles in the UK?

Question

The government said there would onlyd only be 13,000 immigrants from Eastern Europe to the UK following the accession of the new EU states to the EU. Well there are now more than 500,000 in the UK. Most of these are young Polish people. Is this a good thing for the UK? Is this good for Poland?

Answer 1

The issue of immigration is a simple one when asked in reference to an enlarged EU. The benefits to be had from allowing unrestricted immigration form europe are great, on the whole people from europe come over as productive workers who conritbute to the economy, people claiming we do not have space for this are simply mistaken, there is plenty of space and there are plenty of jobs, also lets not forget that we are also entitled to unrestricted reciprocal migration not just to eastern europe or poland, but also to portugal, germany, france and spain. Been to the Costa Del Sol recently, there are literally hundreds of thousands of brits. Fears that we are recieving too many immigrants are exagerated by the fact that we (brits) send massive numbers of migrants abroad also, it seems its not so much too many foreigners, but rather too few brits. Also according to recent studies in order to afford the cost of healthcare and protection for the elderly (who definietly deserve it) we need immigration and birth on a much bigger scale than we are currently experiencing. Hope you find this useful. For detailed info, see weblink below.

Answer 2

As to whether it's good for Poland, two Polish friends told me the other day the Polish government is beginning to get concerned at the outflow of skilled workers from their country to France, UK, Belgium and other EU countries. It's getting hard to find an electrician, a plumber or a builder in some cities. They could be replaced - in fact in many places they are already being replaced - by an influx of skilled workers from Ukraine. But Poland is an ethnically, culturally and religiously very homogeneous country: 98% of the population are Poles by language and culture and Roman Catholic by religion, so it has little experience of assimilating outsiders and there is a fear that importing foreign workers could create social tensions in Poland.

The positive side for Poland is that Polish workers abroad earn more than they would at home and remit money to their famillies in Poland, money which they would otherwise not receive. This goes into the Polish economy and helps raise the standard of living for all. Poland's chief export commodity could be said at the moment to be workers, just as Ireland's was until about 20 years ago. The trend will no doubt reverse, i.e. most of the workers will go back to their own country and new ones will not leave in the first place, once the standard of living in Poland is comparable to that in the countries to which they currently migrate.

The benefit to the UK is the usual one from an influx of willing migrant workers, that they keep the economy turning by providing services which were not available before, or not at such favourable prices. Even rates of pay regarded as low in the UK are much higher than for comparable work in Poland, so the categories of workers concerned, far from feeling themselves exploited in the UK, France, etc., are queuing up to migrate.

Answer 3

Worst thing is that we agreed to do it in the spirit of the EU and yet France and, either Italy or Germany, have said no until 2008. Read an article in the economist though saying that they have boosted our gross domestic product by 0.3% which is very good. Our economy is very stong but is it sustainable... I think we are living in dept, ie Labour is accruing lots of long term debt as they are aware they will lose power in the next election or two and so the next opposition government will have to deal with these problems, making them look bad.

From an economist perspective its a pretty good thing for both countries. I think that because most of the poles come to work and then leave after a year or two its ok. Its when the imigrants stay that we have far more problems because we have to provide more social services, health care and housing and we are a relatively small (but rich) country and we don't have the space for this to continue indefinately.

Answer 4

I think you will find its considerably less... I am a Government Officer and would be aware if such a thing was happening.

I have a huge respect for Polish people and their work attitudes - the majority are over here working doing jobs that Brits dont want to do. Many have clearly stated that when they have worked for a few years and made some cash they will return to Poland and I believe this so I cannot see the move from there to here as being permanent. Obviously some will fall in love with Brit girls/guys and settle down here but I think thats a minority. Half a mill ??? Thats a pipedream mate.

To the muppet that posted the question and then mailed me to tell me that basically I was a liar : Stick to reading those sensational stories in the SUNDAY SPORT !!! I have better things to do with my life than to reply to a whole host of mad emails so count this as my answer to them !

Answer 5

There is a limit to the number of jobs available so many who recently arrived and have no one here to support them will no doubt be heading home fairly quickly. EU nationals cannot draw benefits in UK unless they have been in work for a 12 month period. Only those immigrants who are clever enough to get on and maintain employments will stay

Answer 6

I live in a part of UK where 20 years ago there were no foreign people in my town.We now have five Indian nationals and six Vietnamese.These people have assimilated and have been welcomed into our community.
In the past few years we have had young Polish people come to us to work and have proved to be honest, law abiding and thoroughly decent people.
We are a mainly a bi-lingual community, but the newcomers speak several languages and are even learning our first language as well as being fluent in English.
We still have local people who do not use English in their home.
Our community is definitely enriched by the diversity.
As for Polands loss.....it is our gain.They will be welcomed and not exploited.

Answer 7

Are there too many Poms in Australia? Are there too many Brits in Spain, Greece and other countries? There are more than 2 million Brits working overseas, why can't people come here to work? The Poles and other Eastern Europeans do jobs us Brits wouldnt get out of bed for. If they are taking our jobs, they must be very clever people if they can get a job over a British person who speaks perfect English. The problem with people here is the fact that the Government have made it far too easy for them to stay at home and reap the multiple benefits they can get, therefore we have to rely on foreign nationals to do the dirty factory jobs.
So what do we do for the half million Brits in Spain, France etc, leave the jobs open just in case they want to come back? Wouldn't do much for the economy would it?

Answer 8

There are some very long complicated answers to your question. Yes I think there maybe. A holiday camp by me is staffed by nearly all Polish. They are nice and friendly. However the camp used to employ 100's of British people. In the winter local tradesmen would repair, fit carpets and decorate. They don't employ them any more. It destroys local economy as they send their wages back to Poland. So its great for Poland.

Answer 9

There are some living next door, just moved in as they are renting it. At first there were 3 of them, then they set up a gazebo at the end of the garden, but it's facing the other way, away from the windows of everyone's houses. Suddenly there were more of them, and I saw one of the original ones come out of there, but two of the new ones didn't go back up to the house.

Obviously they are using it as a tent.

Answer 10

Bloody right Labour has got in too many times now and even Muslims who have probably only been over in the UK for a week can probably vote.
I know Muslims can vote though which is stupid.