We will have to agree to disagree then!

I had a food processing business in Ireland with 15 employees doing hard, manual work on irregular shifts but well paid.

The only local guy there was the GM, all the other employees were Polish despite there being 30% youth unemployment in the town. They were flexible, intelligent and able to work on their own initiative and I had no complaints.

The local guys were on very generous benefits packages and did not want to do the hard work for what they considered to be little gain.

The Polish guys wanted to work hard and long to set themselves up for life.

I suppose our personal experiences shape our perceptions so, as I said, let's agree to disagree!

A few years ago a local junior school was having to deal with teaching kids with 14 different native languages

That was a fact

I'm sorry but I don't believe it.

What school and which languages?

Leytheeze
Athertonianeeze
Bongseeze
PlattWazeese
Abrameeze
Hindleyeeze
even the odd one with Wiganeeze (but we shan't mention them in case it hurts some peoples sensibilities)
to name but a few

There are a number of eastern Europeans living close to me and they come across as lazy and arrogant. As previously stated they are not here for work just the benefits. They are having kids year by year as a means of further income. They are not interested in integrating and live their life to their own standards which is far below what is normal for this country. Also in the area there a many British low life's who do not work and have no intention of doing so. These people are only interested in drugs and alcohol and are a blight on society. The situation will not improve as long as there is a dearth of jobs in the area and private landlords let their rented properties to turn areas into slums.

Well that school is to be applauded. There is a 2 year old living across from me whose mother is from Poland. Her dad is English. The little girl speaks to her mam in Polish and her dad in English.

The parents both work. BTW her mam speaks English too. And to me too as does her little girl.

How much would a single person get for coming to the UK' not working' getting bladdered all day and living rent free ?

No wonder they come in their hundreds of thousands, give over. We have a great country folk don't just come here to drink all day do nothing all day apart from producing kids into the world so they can drink more.

Fourteen different languages do me a favour. When I have been to Toulouse to watch Leigh I have to order the drinks in the bar. " Gee us 6 pints lad et vite. " We always get them.

Live and let live.

As I put 14 different native languages, which must make teaching ' English ' subjects problematic for ' home ' students

Not making an issue of it, just a simple fact

You have missed Higherfowdish & Pennyposhish.

The people will indeed have unrestricted access to our benefit system. As you rightly say they will then have to be measured against the control measures listed. whether the controls work or not is another debate.

The issue isn't the ones who work it's the ones who don't , and these don't tend to be the poles but other migrants
The problems created by landlords and councils in the density of location is ruining areas, as these same areas are used to dump the local scum as well
It is logical that the cheaper housing attracts the rentals and we have a nimby attitude to the problem, with the people least effected often being the most supportive of the Christian/socialist rose tinted view of the problem
I believe benefits are earned and watching our town lose its pride and culture to spongers of all races and creeds has led me to believe that no cash should change hands but the basics of life be provided and controlled ie food bought, heat light and clothes provided for anyone claiming more than 6 months or contributing less tha 20 years

I suppose I'm a "live and let live type" missel, but then I'm a son of an immigrant.

My dad came here from Ireland with his older brother in 1942. He saw the "No blacks, no Irish" signs in the lodging houses in Manchester. His brother got a job in an armaments factory, but my dad couldn't get a start anywhere, so he joined the RAF - bet the brylcreem boys loved that - a Paddy in the RAF! Who'd a thowt it?? Finished up in North Africa till demob.

After the war both he and his brother got jobs with Lancashire County Council Parks and Gardens dept. It was while he was putting in the bowling greens at St Pauls Labour Club he met my mam, the rest is history. He died in 1975 at the age of 55 and never claimed a penny of benefits in his life.

I don't believe that any immigrant comes here solely to live off benefits. They come, like my dad did, to work and make a better life for themselves - the same as many many British who have emigrated to Australia, New Zealand, Canada etc. Problem is, the jobs are not there now.

And why? Cameron's austerity policy. And why is that necessary? I refer you to my earlier post i.e bank bailouts / tax dodging schemes / private companies and individuals (e.g Sir Peter Green, Sir Richard Branson) ripping off the public purse to a massive extent.

Far too simplistic (and misguided) to blame immigration for the state of the country. Sorry for the rant.

Pat politics and religion are a great opinion provider, talking of bowling greens they are in real danger of extinction and from a lad brought up watching mi Grandad and dad on Tamar, Rubber, Sportsman and many others, pop and cheese n biscuits as a treat, I do worry for the keen bowlers of the town - St Pauls next?

Do you really believe that?

Yes

Has any of the moaners tried living off benefits?

I'm the only one of 4 adults in my house with a job. Every one else is massively struggling financially and if my wage wasn't present there would be serious problems.

Life while on benefits is no laugh.

Just think how we could revive the towns mentioned in this thread if we scrapped the misguided bus way.Just a quick mention in immigration,yes its always been here but its not controlled properly as our services are now being suffocated.Oh and going back on topic,I have played Dick Jones poem in hi ho silver lining style on the guitar,and it sounds good.

Got to say I do and' am not just saying that as a wind up.

So you think that every European immigrant, legal and illegal, who came to this country to find work and were highly delighted that cash was thrown at them, they were housed, fed and watered and they didn't need actually need to work. And it was a surprise to them!!! Wow.

Wow you sound like a propoganda merchant for UKIP.

Bet these lazy bone idle scroungers eat at the best restaurants in the country. are daft enough to buy bottled water and stay in 5 star hotels in this country.

I prefer to think they come here for opportunity to better their lives. Reffy go to Albania for a fortnight and bring me back some cheap cigs.

OK it doesn't work out for them all but it does for most.

Are there any Leythers living abroad who have left the UK to live off state handouts I think not but maybe unemployment benefit is more generous than I think.

How much a week is it by the way ?

Salfordlad, I am not a propaganda merchant for anyone, the thoughts are my own. I have seen the ghettos that the Eastern Europeans are making in parts of Leigh. But as you say every one of them is gainfully employed, they must work some funny hours, perhaps you could give some some examples of where they are working?

I agree they are all bettering themselves by being over here, but should they be this country's burden? If our European masters insist they be allowed to live in this country they should pay for them.
The Leythers now domiciled abroad have probably worked for donkeys year and saved to enable them to move.

I am surprised that you insist that incomers of various nationalities all came for work and none for benefits.

Now if you read my earlier response you have made two assumptions about things I have not written.

I suggest you e mail a couple of our posters who now live in Canada for example and please tell me how much a week unemployment benefit is.

Leigh's problem at the moment is that there are little or no manafacturing jobs to be had and no pits.

I cannot understand why that would change anything if we sent all immigrants living in Leigh back to their own countries.

Re where do immigrants work. I have no idea but I would suggest you ask one when you see one maybe they will tell you.

There was a Polish steward at Fev today btw he would probably preffered to be outside on Glebe St in Leigh drinking vodka which was paid for us taxpayers.

a) What attracted them to Leigh then?
b) There would be a massive reduction in benifit payments giving more money for genuine cases, release more housing for working families who can't afford the rents because they don't get them paid by the state.

Well we will never agree on this particular issue but if you ever meet me b4 a game we can talk about it and I will be in the George and Dragon 2 hours before our next game kicks off.

Mind you I will talk as well about our team which I know we are both passionate about.



Oh and if you drive you could give me a lift home and I will give you a quid for petrol.

I'll take your word for that and will discuss that with you next time I bump in to you.

As someone who is also the son of an Irish immigrant, I can't disagree with anything you've said there Pat!!