It's not. Why else do they want to come here rather than, say, Germany, Holland, France, Belgium etc. which, (co-incidentally or not) are not so generous?

Work it out, mate.

Check my edit.

I saw figures the other day that put Germany as most generous. The UK was low in the list.

But I'll reiterate, problem as it is, the country's ills are not down to immigration but austerity.

I was questioning the idea that the uk is more generous to immigrants than other EU countries. I had read that they got better benefits in Germany and Sweden.

Not necessarily, if true it means that their reasons for coming here are based on something other than a simple economic equation.

There is little evidence that the benefit system is open to abuse or that illegal migrants are taking social housing. If it is accepted that is the case you have to look for other reasons that make the UK attractive"

The main incentive for migrants, whether illegal or legal is work, and always has been. The key differences between this country and other European countries is how easy it is to enter the black economy. The lack of a national labour inspectorate and, most importantly, the lack of national ID cards are what make the difference.

There have been attempts to shore up the system in other ways. Fines for employers and landlords, labour restrictions on asylum seekers and plans to prosecute illegal workers and seize wages. All of this was planned by Labour to create a "hostile environment" ( a term coined by Labour immigration minister Liam Byrne). Labour also of course planned to introduce national ID cards but the scheme was scrapped by the Tories.

Labour were on the right track and the perception among migrants that we are still an open house for illegal workers is one that has been allowed to continue by the coalition and present government.

If the British public are serious about controlling migration they will have to accept the kind of in country restrictions that exist elsewhere. This is where the libertarian right and the paranoid left meet in a common cause. It is ironic that the key measure that might help control illegal migration is opposed by those most in favour and most against immigration controls.

Yes, I am an agent of Satan but my duties are largely ceremonial

It's not just one immigrant. Anyway, we're going round in circles. Why is the UK perceived to be 'safer' than, say, France or Germany, or any other EU country they've passed through? If they reject those countries, then there must be a more concrete reason for coming to the UK and that brings us back to the conclusion that they believe it's 'softer' here in the UK than elsewhere.