Saturday, April 20, 2013

Romania

UK 'cannot afford' EU open borders any longer


by Godfrey Bloom
14 January 2013
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There could be a potential disaster in Britain if the country does not stop open-door access to British borders - claims controversial UKIP MEP

No matter who runs our police forces, Britain will be unable to stop the tidal flood of new immigrants because the government's hands are tied and it cannot stop restrictions being lifted without tearing up the treaty signed with Bulgaria and Romania when they joined the EU in 2007.

The government is frightened to predict how many Bulgarians and Romanians will move here because the previous administration grossly underestimated the numbers in 2004. It predicted fewer than 20,000 eastern Europeans would arrive but Office for National Statistics figures show more than 600,000 were working in Britain last year. Already, statistics have shown that Romania's population has fallen by more than 12 per cent since 2002 as hundreds of thousands leave the poverty-stricken nation for richer countries such as Britain.

Figures from the latest Romanian census reveal that migration and a low birth rate have pushed the population down to 19 million, a fall of almost three million in 10 years, with one million Romanians working abroad. However, other estimates suggest the number of expatriate workers could be three million. There is no official figure for the number of Romanians in the United Kingdom, but British businesses advertised 2,400 vacancies in one month alone on a Romanian website for nurses, engineers and other jobs.

The exit of workers is also a moral one for Romania which has raised particular concerns in a country where only about five million employees pay taxes and most of the rest are pensioners, children, subsistence farmers or people working illegally. That is unsustainable.

A recent investigation also claimed that large numbers of Romanians are working in the UK as Big Issue vendors while also claiming benefits. Almost one in three Big Issue sellers – 700 out of a nationwide force of 2,250 registered vendors according to the magazine – was said to have come from Romania. Currently 90 per cent of cash point fraud is allegedly perpetrated by Romanian gangs; a Romanian pick pocket gang committed over 180 robberies and organised crime is rife, transporting their gangs by bus. They are said to exploit children to beg and steal; they are dubbed the new 'Fagins' by many.

It is anecdotal but a disgraceful example of crime against the elderly was committed earlier this year when two members of a Romanian gang that targeted elderly people to steal their bank cards were jailed for six years each. Ioan Hutup, 30, and Elena Batan, 38, would spy on pensioners using their debit and credit cards at supermarket checkouts, watching them entering their PIN numbers then following them home. They would then use a number of ruses to distract the victim while their card was stolen from them and then used to withdraw cash to buy goods. The sentencing judge said they would be deported at the end of their sentences. If only. They will be out in three years and then they will appeal that it is against their human rights to be sent home, when we will be stuck with them or face years of legal challenges with only the lawyers benefiting.

The Bulgarian administration is corrupt to the core, funded by the European Union. If the rot is at the top, that can filter down. The pure economics of these countries will dictate the migration numbers. Bulgaria has the lowest average income in the EU. Poland has a gross domestic product per capita of $13,000 but Bulgaria's GDP per capita is just $7,300. There are 30 million inhabitants in Bulgaria and Romania.

If just 5 per cent migrate here, that is a potential new labour market of 1.5 million looking for work. When we have one million youths unemployed and a general unemployment rate of 8.4 per cent, that is 1.5 million potential job and benefit seekers. We cannot afford the benefits, we cannot afford more British joblessness, we cannot afford the extra housing and strain on our infrastructure and we cannot afford a potential crime explosion in the worst-case scenario. The Home Secretary Theresa May needs to address this situation urgently, to tear up the treaty signed by Labour to protect our borders and citizens.

Godfrey Bloom MEP represents UKIP in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, in the United Kingdom
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100 per cent you are right.
Bulgarian - London, East ham
This is a misleading article. There are various logical inconsistencies in it.
Vihar Georgiev
As a Bulgarian, I agree with Mr Bloom to a large extent. However, I can't bear not to call him a hypocrite. It's easy to throw dirt on Bulgarians and Romanians who are, albeit poor and corrupt, Europeans.
Tod
Stop abusing us Bulgarians you hypocrites. Do you know that in Bulgaria, there are not more than two million employees who pay taxes and that is it. That is the entire workforce of the country. The rest are children and pensioners.
The entire Bulgarian population is less than seven million people. Out of 2 million people who are still able to work, how many do you think will even consider going to Britain? That is the question, not some pre-electoral bullsh*****. Do not tie Bulgaria and Romania together, we have nothing in common with the Romanians.
Another Bulgarian
Dear Sirs, your country is full of immigrants from all over the world including Pakistan, India, Azerbaidzhan and others among the poorest countries in Africa and Asia. When one walks on the streets in the UK, it`s hard to see a person who comes originally from Europe.
It is an honour for you that Bulgarians and Romanians come to work in the UK as most of us speak English, work very hard, are well educated and has a positive attitute towards British people and the country(unlike the majority of the other immigrants).
It`s a shame because our people , who actually are more educated than the British themselves, with a university degree and more than one language, are forced to work jobs such as housekeeping and others. That is simply because we still need a work permit (the Polish, Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Cypriot, Greeks and others don`t). As of January 1, 2012, the work restrictions will fall and then we will be able to work in better jobs,suitable for our background and education.
Is that what you are afraid of - the Bulgarians taking your jobs, right? Nobody likes competition. You should also note that your country singed a contract with Bulgaria and you must adhere to it, simply because you are legally obliged to. This is what the EU is about: freedom of movement of not only goods, services and capital, but also freedom of movement of people.
Valya Toneva - Sofia, Bulgaria
Right-wing collectivism that betrays the ideals of freedom and economic liberty. Vote for UKIP if you want state economic planning and monolithic state-sponsored classification of people. There is no such thing as a Romanian or Bulgarian person, there are only individuals who have the same natural rights as everyone else. The above post is insulting.
Crime waves occur because the state fails in its responsibility to enforce the law, it is wholly disgusting to deny citizens of an entire country their EU rights becuase of the failiure of British institutions to enforce the law.
Dissident - London
First of all, my dear Godfrey Bloom, it is obvious that your brain capacity has not "bloomed" enough to reach levels, where you can give such a controversial opinion. This will be an answer for each paragraph of your self-embarrassing statement.
1/ Whenever a contract is signed by both sides, all shall keep and fulfill the terms and conditions in their original form. If not - the side that is breaking the terms will have to pay reparations. Is your country willing to pay that great amount of money?
2/ You are speaking of Romanians, but they are not Bulgarians - which is obvious enough just by spelling both words. By saying "600,000 eastern Europeans were working in Britain last year" , do you mean Bulgarians and Romanians? Because I can assure you that less than 10,000 Bulgarians and Romanians have applied for a work permit during the period 01.10.2011 - 01.10.2012.
3/ and 4/ Again, Romanians but not Bulgarians.
5/ and 6/ Well in case that Romania is your problem, your crime monster , tidy-up a little bit your official relations with the Romanian government. And also - you speak of getting benefits by Romanians, but you do not mention the greater problem within UK - your social benefits are delicious meal for all the Muslims and Polish people, coming from abroad, exploiting your system. It is unbelievably stupid to give someone social benefits if he/she has not been working in the UK for at least 5 years. But this is your problem.
7/ Something that I will totally agree with you is that the Bulgarian Parliament and the Bulgarian politicians are corrupted to the core of their bones. And it is like that since the communism , and even after 1989 when this communists regime has fallen, the communists are still ruling us. But this is our fault , the fault of the ordinary Bulgarians. You should restrict your labour market from the politicians, not from skilled workers. Also, you should and you must implement an English test, to check the level of English language of the immigrant workers. An appropriate level,that should be attended or held by the immigrant workers should be at least Level 2. This measure should be applied to all new incoming workers/migrants and the existing old ones - not only for EU nationals - Poland, Bulgarian, Romanian, Estonian, Lithuania, Hungary and so on - but also for Pakistan , India , China, Middle East nations, African nations.
8/ The problems with the British youth are your own, and we Bulgarians do not hold responsibility for them. Your youth`s lack of motivation to work is worldwide well known fact. Your youth`s value system is missing - all they know is - I am getting pregnant, I will receive a council house, I will receive benefits. There are generations in the UK who has not been working at all, because they can live on benefits, paid by the local residents, by the fair British citizens. Bulgarians are hard workers - all you need is to channel their efforts, skills, motivation into a solid and strong working class, something that the British employers know how.
At the end I will say that you failed at protecting your nation against the Asian invasion, which is far far worse than few, less than 15 000 workers from both Bulgaria and Romania. In fact, I doubt that when UK remove the restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians the number of immigrants from both countries will estimate for more than 15,000 - simply others don`t like your crap climate conditions.
And the picture of this article is totally unacceptable and inappropriate with the title - there is only one flag, and it is Romania's flag.
Dimitar Lapchev - Leeds/United Kingdom
A flawed analysis.
Bogdan - Bucharest
Mr Bloom, face the reality - Bulgaria and Romania are two different countries. The UK, already, has the second highest crime rate in Europe. Guess why? Because of politicians like you dividing the mass in groups and creating hatred among these groups. Your article is offensive and it's a shame for the UK people. You represent nothing else, but your own ego.
Martin MP - London
So when a large majority of the Rumanian & Bulgarian workers leave their lands, who, what is going to pay the required tax to maintain the young and old still there?
David - Bradford Yorks, England
Godfrey is not saying all Bulgarians and Romanians are criminals, but we do seem to attract a certain percentage who are- plus the criminals from other EUSSR member states too. It's all due to the communistic policies from EUSSR.
David - Bradford, Yorks, England
How uniformed you are. Out of the total population of Bulgaria (seven million), one million of them wouldn't be able to get time off school to invade the UK. Another million are retired and have no one to look after their goat while they and their zimmer frames march on Britain. Of the remaining five million, half of them are at home getting their husbands tea ready and waiting for the children to get home from school, and of the other 2.5 million, 2.2 million have a job.
Which leaves only 300,000 people that are disabled or unemployed. And according to your figures, they are all in Britain already; standing in the dole queues with their imaginary friend, trying to get a handout. Godfrey Bloom, you are a pot stirrer of the worst kind.
Steve - Scunthorpe
Valya Toneva hit the nail straight on the head with her comment. If there's one thing Britain and the rest of Europe needs more of it is more Valya Tonevas and a lot less Godfrey Blooms.
Northerner - Northern England
Incredible. Romanian and Bulgarians are responsible for UK problems Mr. Bloom. First of all, none of the two nations above are in your top five immigrant nations. Actually, they may be some of the better educated workers in UK.
Secondly, crimes and illegalities are not restricted to Romanians/Bulgarians. All nationalities comit illegalities. Thirdly, the declaration not only gets you close to being a hypocrite but also close to discrimination.
What I would recommend is get your facts and data, and build a good, diplomatic argument. Then come out ar state your opinion.
Alex - Bucharest
In the UK, there are all of the world populations on earth and we stumble upon a few romanians and bulgarians? Dimitar Lapchev - FYI - when I walk in Manchester, for instance, it is more likely that I will hear Bulgarian than Romanian so some of your comments I find unfair.
This article tells us nothing. The British youth are absolutely un-prepared for the real world. In the article, you refer to us (Romanians and Bulgarians alike) as if we represent 99 per cent of all eastern Europeans. Before writing such articles, you should check yourself.
Paul - Salford
When will our blinkered Westminster politicians take us out of the EU? The whole European project is illegal from start to finish. Whether they realise it or not, all of our MPs are guilty of surrendering our sovereignty. Why should we have any respect for these career politicians?
No name supplied
Why this propaganda against Romanians and Bulgarians? Have you been to lodon? There are no Europeans working in london, so top blaming other people for your problems.
Sugipula - Muiela Mata
Very bad article. I really don't know how you made it this far.
Christian - Romania
Godfrey Bloom - ultranationalist.
Citizen UE - Romania - Romania
Very good article. I realy think that it is the right time for the UK to leave EU and everything European - laws, trades, capitals, people, relationships, history and future.
Anonymous
I am a proud Englishman who is very proud of his Bulgarian wife, who has a bachelors and a masters degree and we both agree with many things that UKIP say. And we both think the European Union is a failed experiment and the sooner it ends the better. However, two points which are always grossly misinterpreted are 1) Bulgaria and Romania are two very very different countries with very different views and ethics, and should not always be mentioned together.
I myself lived in bulgaria for nearly 3 years and saw less crime there than in the UK and met only hardworking educated people, who love there country and want it to improve 2) As any Bulgarian and for that fact Romanian will tell you, the majority of the crime commented in the UK and the reports of Bulgarian and Romanians living on the streets or selling big issue are not in fact Bulgarian or Romanian. If you want to scare people about the so called influx, then report correctly.
Proud Englishman - South
Are you crazy people? Leave Romanians and Bulgarians alone.
Mich - London
Mr. Bloom. Can you roughly recall the total popullation of India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morroco, Egypt, Iran, Hong Kong, Turkey, Poland and Russia and roughly deduct some 5 per cent? Then try to estimate the percentage of refugee versus job seekers, and see from whom UK would benefit most. Then speak loudly.
Next, please recall Bulgarians and Romanians are widely non-fundamentalist Christians, first, and bilingual, too, in a non-arguably vast percentage of all cases.
And last - your statements in overall suck to the core. I do have a choice to come live and work in your country, but the hell with your double stantards and aggression. I always wondered how your brilliant educational system produces so many ill-mannered native-born British citizens of all ages, please ask your colleagues - politicians for a good advice.
And, yeah - the Netherlands' government already produced heavy 2011 statistics on crime ratio according to age, gender, ethnicity, and nationality.
What are you waiting for, Romanians and Bulgarians to come do your job for triple less monthly payment?
Mea - Bulgaria
Italy has been devastated, the same is already happening here. The damage is done.
peter - UK
The criminals don't need the right to work in here, and that's what is going to happen in 2014. the criminals are already here and doing their stuff. What does 2014 have to to with criminality? It has to do with people coming here to work legally.
Bob - London
And Mr Bloom gets the title of 21st century Nostradamus of the EU.
John
This is why the UK "cannot afford" this sort of Euro Parliamentarians that don't allegedly bring the country any benefit. The opinion of such a person doesn't matter.
Compared to all of the above, I would say this article is light and who knows what more can we expect. I think you might need to revise your views and attitudes Mr Bloom (and not only the ones related to the Bulgarian - Romanian catastrophe that's gonna hit the UK in the years to come).
We're not in the 15th century. Check you calendar, read some more books and enlighten yourself. You might want to check the good manners from time to time.
King
This article is not true, Romanians and Bulgarians already have the right to enter UK without any restriction but just with their passport or ID card. The restriction only applies to legal employment, as Romanians and Bulgarians still need a work permit in order to work legally in the UK.
This means that now no restriction keeps the Romanians and Bulgarians from coming to the UK and committing crimes. Concerning this fact nothing will change after January 1, 2014, the date after which Romanians and Bulgarians will have unrestricted access to the labour market in the UK.
Britons, however, may be affected by the lifting of the restrictions for the Romanian and Bulgarian workers as the British workers will have higher competition when looking for a job, and Easter Europeans usually accept lower salaries.
So, in conclusion, I think the British job seekers may be affected starting in January 2014, but I doubt the crime level will go any higher as the result of lifting those restrictions.
Adrian - Bucharest, Romania
Mr. Bloom if you want to succeed in your career you can stand out by writing real articles, not some suppositions. The first thing is that Romanians and Bulgarians are hired by the British, so if there was no need for labour force the immigration could be slowed down.
To me, you fear these two nations because we integrate better in the society than other immigrants.
Funny how you talk about immigrants. The British nation is the largest one - Australia and the US.
Claudiu - Romania
Well, it seems that the comments about the uncommitted "crimes" of the Romanians and Bulgarians will never cease in UK media. And I am sure that you, Mr.Bloom, have no ideea about the real history of these two countries. Let me tell you something: right after WWII, these two countries were just like the other countries of Europe, without knowing a man decided to throw these countries in the hands of the Russian communists.
Later on, the same man had a speech where he told us for the first time about "the Iron Courtain" but forgot to tell that he is the one who created it. And then, while the UK and its population was following it's way of life - millions of Romanians and Bulgarians had to be killed, imprisoned, persecuted, humiliated and/or forced to live in communist "blocks" and to be "indoctrinated"; just for the sake of commmunism.
The capitalist economy of these countries, their "elite", their culture , their best people and politicians had to be destroyed and dissapeared. And now, back into "our age", here comes Mr Bloom and others to tell us that we are corrupt and we are committing crimes, to teach us "liberty" and "democracy" as if we are coming from the Moon and never heard about.
I kindly ask you to do your homework very well before writing about Romanians and Romania, Bulgarians and Bulgaria. If you are patient, you will discover that we have been there already, with the Roman legions - to guard Hadrian's Wall and protect you.
George - Bucharest, Romania
Most of the Romanians and Bulgarians which are working in London are underpaid. After 2014, those workers have to be paid legally. So shut up. You want only slaves. We want to be paid correctly. There is nothing about "crimes" there but money.
Daniel - Flamanzi, Romania
Regarding the statement made by my "colleague" Godfrey Bloom, I would like to notice that according to the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria to the EU, European labor market had to be open to all EU citizens until the end of 2013. Britain has supported Bulgaria's membership in the EU and, consequently, this clause. No other official statement has been made.
As a "conscientious" MEP, Mr Bloom has to be aware of the number of such immigrants. Exact figures suggest that the UK does not face an increased flow of Bulgarian immigrants seeking jobs. Moreover, there is a demand for highly skilled professionals preferred by British companies and institutions.
Concerning the insinuations of criminal activities by Bulgarian citizens, I would like to recall the frequent hooligan behaviour of British citizens, who come to the country for alcohol tourism. I would also like to remind to Mr Bloom about the case of the bartender Martin Georgiev, who was beaten in the head with a stone by a young Liverpool fan in 2005.
As a consequence, he was convicted by a Bulgarian independent court. This case was a subject of debate in the European Parliament. Mr Bloom is known for his anti-European rhetoric. When a person does not embrace EU values, he has no place in the European Parliament.
Iliana Iotova - Bulgaria - Member of the European Parliament
It would be good for the UK to receive more educated Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants but I think its just the opposite: we are afraid that starting from 2014, as the EU citizens are allowed to buy land in Romania, my country will be invaded by farmers from western Europe. Most of them Brits, who will spend their cash to buy land in my country.
Unfortunately for the UK, Britain will leave the EU very soon as its population requires and will increase its number of imigrants from India, Pakistan, western and eastern Africa and other former colonies.
Ana - Bucharest, Romania
This article just wants to deepen the race and social issues between east and west. This is just a global issue because some people see that their respective problems, with the economy and society as a whole comes not from within, but from abroad. So they try to put the blame on somebody else and right now that somebody else is Romania and Bulgaria.
By not allowing easy legal access to the job market, no matter what the country is, the government encourages the illegal activities such as human trafficking and slavery. Just look it up on the international press releases.
In my opinion this guy, Godfrey Bloom, is just narrow minded. Or this article was put out just to see the response of the society. The fact that the east Europeans are seen as poor and uneducated sub-humans by the wealthy and over educated west-Europeans is an age old problem.
So, dear Mister Godfrey Bloom, when you prepare to write an article about an east European country - make some true research. Yes it is true that some crime is made by east Europeans but not all of it. We, the Romanians and Bulgarians, can say the same about Brits when they commit a crime in our respective countries. But we don't.
In the end you, Mister Godfrey Bloom and all who think like you, it is not the end of the world if you lift the restrictions on your job market because guess what - not all the Romanians and Bulgarians want to come and work in your country.
Popa Ioan - Romania
My previous comment was edited.
Google "Godfrey Bloom" and read the wikipedia page of this esteemed Member of the European Parliament. For all these reasons, the UK "cannot afford" this sort of Euro Parliamentarians that don't allegedly bring the country any benefit. The opinion of such a person doesn't matter.
Compared to all he did (read wikipedia), I would say this article is light and who knows what more can we expect. I think you might need to revise your views and attitudes Mr Bloom (and not only the ones related to the Bulgarian - Romanian catastrophe that's gonna hit the UK in the years to come).
We're not in the 15th century. Check you calendar, read some more books and enlighten yourself. You might want to check the good manners from time to time.
King
King. I tried posting the same thing about him. Completely agree with you.
Martin MP - London
Strange isn't it, the Bulgarians are outraged by the comment. However since Eastern Europe has had a right of entry to the UK, crime seems to have risen.
No name given
You, sir, fail at logic. Dividing the masses and breeding hate will get you nowhere, especially in a society with such a large number of non-European immigrants. It may however win you a couple of votes and put some food on your table.
There are many good arguments in the comments and I don't think that anything I could write could change the mind of people like you so I won't even bother. The only thing I seem to agree with from your article is the part about the "human rights" of criminals.
Romanian - Europe
Mr Bloom, I am an Romanian living in UK since 1999. I worked as self-employed for the last five years. I never took a penny of benefits. I worked really hard and paid my taxes in this country. If this makes me a criminal, I wonder what do you call all the British citizens that never worked in their life (few generations in fact) and who are living on benefits? On benefits from the taxes paid by all the immigrants in this country.
From the same taxes paid by the immigrants, the Treasury is filling the black hole for state pensions.
Think about all the jobs filled in by the immigrants (Romanians, Bulgarians or other countries) that English people won't dare to take because they are low paid and below of their level.
You forgot that as EU members, Romanians and Bulgarians, have the right to travel to the UK. Do you think the criminals need a right to work? All they need is the right to enter - they do not want to work. Open your eyes.
Ciprian - London
Mr Bloom, so it was ok for millions of English people to immigrate to France, Germany, Benelux and the Nordic countries in the 80s yet now it's wrong for the UK to accept immigrants? It's ok for one million British people to live in Spain?
We do know already that 15 per cent of the poles have returned by now. We do know that most of the Romanians and Bulgarians do jobs the English won't do.
Jason - Germany
As a Romanian living in the UK, with a BA and an MA degree awarded by British universities, I am quite shocked reading the affirmations in this article. I only have one question - can you really compare stealing phones and wallets or even begging with the horrendous murders like cutting people into pieces and throwing their remains into the Thames, kidnappings, stabbings, riots, child abuse and many other mentally deranged acts committed by British citizens in their own back yards? I am by no means defending Eastern Europeans' petty acts but I believe that the police's main concern for the next few years should be a different one.
Oana - London
Thank you Martin. The only problem with these kinds of politicians is that people listen to them. They show only the exceptions and the bad things that immigrants do and not the whole picture. For example, the case of the gang targeting old people, or jobless Lithuanian mother that gets benefits for seven children.
And while these are true, they represent a very small percent of the whole group. Indeed, if these statistics are true/important they should be made completely known, but they should show the whole picture. They should compare the data for immigrants and for nationals.
And if it would be so bad, then he might have a case. But I think it won't be the case. I believe that compared to the percentage of British people that take advantage of benefits, or commit crimes we would be better of. The opinion of one person doesn't matter that much for me, but what matters and affects me is when the general (British) public puts you in the same category with the less than 1per cent that do things like these.
I wish that every time someone like Mr Bloom makes such statements there would be someone (with similar power/position) to speak against such statements. And I don't mind if crimes are presented, but they should show the percentage from that group and also the percentage for British people.
There is report from the European Commission that says that there is "a positive impact of the free movement of Romanian and Bulgarian workers on the EU's long-term GDP with an increase by about 0.3 per cent for the EU".
Also "studies show too that there has been no significant impact on unemployment or wages of local workers in receiving countries" and "what is clear is that recent EU-2 movers have played a very minor role in the labour market crisis which is a direct consequence of the financial and economic crisis, as well as structural labour market problems."
Google 'A new European Commission report highlights the overall positive role that mobile workers from Bulgaria and Romania (EU-2) have played in receiving countries' economies'. Why don't we hear this in Britain? I wish someone would show the whole picture objectively (with both highs and lows) and then decide to speak and act. But because only voices like Mr Bloom's are heard here, the general public takes that as the whole truth.
King
Re, the anonymous post above. It is also true that it's been raining a lot more this summer and it's been colder compared to last summer - are you going to blame Eastern Europeans for this as well? Get facts and numbers supporting your statements and then post here.
Also, can you please go to the poor areas, in London for example, and spend some time there - you would see all the eastern europeans coming home from work quietly. In fact, what I want you to see is what do the rest of the immigrants in those areas do - nothing.
Get the crime statistics and tell me how many of these crimes have been committed by Bulgarians or Romanians - now compare these numbers with the ones representing the number of crimes committed by UK citizens or other immigrants. You just look silly posting comments like this.
Martin MP - London
Seriously, Mr Bloom has posted a lot of silly stuff on here but this takes some beating. Public Service Europe, I think you arre a great website but please stop publishing this incorrect nonsense. Thank god there are people around more informed that are making their own voices heard bellow.
Mr Bloom, I have had the great experience of meeting many Romanians (I cannot speak for Bulgarians - so won't put them in the same bracket as Mr Bloom has here) and they are very educated, willing to work hard and above all full of entrepreneurial skills that would add a new wealth to our businesses.
Give them the true right to fully work in the UK with no restrictions, they joined in 2007. The fact that these restrictions have remained until now and will only cease in 2014 is an embarrassment to our nation. People are individuals and thank god the EU has realised this and allowed for the freedom of movement of citizens to work and live where they choose.
If the UK's unemployed are finding it tough to get jobs then that is the failure of business growth, not the influx of immigration. But then I don't blame UKIP supporters' worries, they should be worried. Any Romanian immigrant seeking work in the UK will beat them to the job hands down, time after time.
Mark - Swindon
As a Bulgarian living in London for the last 12 years, I can honestly say that it has been hard but pleasant journey starting a new life and working my way up from a cleaner to a care home manager. I and many of my friends did not choose the easy life to live on benefits and give birth to children one after another like many who are absolutely abusers of your system. The s*** hit the fan (excuse my language) when you started re-assessing all benefits claimants and it appeared that more than 55,000 people have been receiving incapacity benefit when they were actually fit and healthy to work.
Tell me, if it was not for decent people like us - Bulgarians who would have filled this market gap and many more - what would have happened? I am wondering sometimes if in only one day all foreigners decide not to go to work, what will happen to UK? I bet a complete standstill - as more than half of all of your benefit claimants are British.
Lora - London
Proud to be Bulgarian. Mr who was that?
Anastasiya Belcheva - Kingston upon Hull
Argument: "Because the government's hands are tied and it cannot stop restrictions being lifted without tearing up the treaty signed with Bulgaria and Romania" Fact 1: You cannot tear apart the treaty with Bulgaria and Romania unilaterally. It is part of the Aquis ot the EU. The only possible option to tear up the treaty with Bulgaria and Romania for the UK is to exit form the EU altogether.
Therefore the whole argument implies, if we want to stop anything, therefore we must exit the EU. Fact 2: For that you need a national referendum, which would take the UK out of the EU. Whether there would be a referendum is only possible to be decided by the current UK government of which Mr Bloom is not part, nor he is par of the Westminster parliament.
The argument, which Mr Bloom is making, is not connected to his functions and powers as an MEP. In any sense, he has nothing to do with any powers to vote for a referendum in the UK, until at least he becomes a MP in the Westminster parliament. Until then, as an MEP, without any powers and connections in the UK whatsoever - Mr Bloom can only suggest, or otherwise babble freely as much as he likes.
Mr Bloom, you are welcome to say something meaningful, when it has any merits or where at least you can do something about it. Please, come again when you have something useful to say.
Pez - Southampton, UK, UoSU
An article that aims to impose on the British peaceful and tolerant population with far-from-credible arguments. I suggest Mr Bloom goes back to school.
Proud Bulgarian - London
I commend Bloom for speaking up for British sovereignty - the UK. has every right to define its immigration policy and decide what immigrants it wants in an increasingly uncertain world. Perhaps Bloom's critics should point instead at Greece where the xenophobic, neo-fascist political party Golden Dawn is in ascendancy - it is vehemently anti-immigrant and frequently violent.
James - St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Actually, James, Britain does not have the right to restrict immigration from within the European Union. The EU is based on similar principles of mobility of capital, goods, services and labour as the US. After the seven-year transition ending next year, the UK is legally obliged to end restrictions on Romania and Bulgaria.
I suppose you also think Texas also has the right to restrict immigration from California. Britain could opt to leave the EU and the single market, it would certainly solve the UK's immigration problems as nobody would be interested in coming here in that situation.
Dissident - London
This guy thinks that by splashing some more dirt on a country which is so underestimated like Romania, will win some votes. Guess what - he won't. People hopefully are awake and realise when reading this article that this it is a load of rubbish. And stop this anti-Romania propaganda because people are getting sick of it. I'm sick of it, at least.
Romanians are a proud, hard working nation which now is being robbed of it's identity by people just like you. You are trying to rob this country of it's identity, history and well - people already robbed it of most of it's assets.
You are trying to feed everyone this rubbish and trying to make them out to be the biggest criminals that ever existed. One thing I agree with - the government of Romania is corrupt. It's corrupt to such extent as it is no longer acting in the interest of it's own country. It's acting only in the interest of the EU leaders.
When reading an article like this a Romanian diplomat should take action. But guess what - nobody will say a bloody thing because they are not allowed to defend Romania's image and unfortunatley people like Mr Bloom here can pick up a few votes from people, who watch too much television and are very easy to convince that in the UK it never rains.
Sergiu - UK
Don't worry Mr Bloom, if the UK doesn't welcome us, we can always go to other countries. We can easily learn a second foreign language. Germany is currently taking our best doctors and engineers, which is sad for my country.
With these kind of policies, you will lose competitiveness. Good luck missing some of the brightest and hard working people.
Monika
People who criticise this man do not have a clue what is going on in Britain right now. We are at crisis point. We really are. Romanians/Bulgarians here who accuse Mr Bloom of being nationalist and so on - no he is reflecting the views of British citizens. We are at our wits end and it is the reason why half of our citizens want Britain to leave the EU. I am a British citizen and have been for the last 47 years, and I cannot believe what I am witnessing in my once beautiful country.
Mark Thompson - Northampton, England
The Bulgaria labour force is 2.465 million. And I don't believe that our policemen, president, public administration, self-employed people and so on will come to UK. They don't need to come.
Poor Bulgarian in UK - York
Mark, I think you should elaborate on what is happening to your "once beautiful country". Are you suggesting that Eastern European immigration to the UK has made your country less beautiful? If so, then I believe you fall in the same camp as Mr Bloom.
How would you react if a Spanish person made the same comments about British immigration there? The bottom line is that you are part of a quasi-federal Europe, along with all the benefits and problems this comes with.
You could choose to leave the EU and remain in the single market, but in that situation you lose any policy-making power in Europe and you would still have to participate in the single European labour market (as it is part of the single market). Alternatively, you could choose to leave the EU and the EEA (the single market) and you would be cut off from the world's biggest market. Not only would you lose your access to Europe, but you would also lose access to the FTAs that the EU has been able to sign with other countries.
As for financial services, in the absence of free movement of capital London would cease to be a financial hub. There are no easy choices in this world but you cannot have your cake and eat it.
Reason - UK
I completely agree with this article, it's just common sense. We are blindly walking into a potentially expensive and socially damaging situation. We already have public services stretched to the limit. I just can't believe these MEPs are so out of touch with reality.
Benjamin jones - Redditch, England
I think the problem with the stretched social system lies in this numbers. May be it is a problem to speak out against people from the former colonies and there is not such a problem for Romanians and Bulgarians, so we are to blame them for everything.
The UK Office for National Statistics estimation is at 35,000 for Bulgarians and even the non-official estimation is 130 000, which is far below the official number for Chinese - at 247,403 (2001 Census). The only reason you have to say that the Bulgarians are giving you more problems than others (which the article implies) is if you claim that they are more likely to commit crime - which is ridiculous, think.
Bulgarian living in - Brussels, Belgium
I have just arrived home from UK. I am 45 years old and since I was a child, I loved Britain and the British people for everything - as a nation - they gave to this world. My dream of living and working in UK was about to become true, but not everything was quite as it was spoken of in advance.
I had a bad experience as a self-employer, but my expectations of British people were by far excedeed by the reality. I had the opportunity to work in a villages and small towns area in the south-west part of England, with almost 0 per cent immigration, so I met only English-born people.
I was thrilled by their kindness, friendship and opened manner they showed me. The guys from the company were great, and althought I worked at least 14 hours per day - I wasn't successful due to some circumstances.
But not my case is the issue here. The issue is that Romanians and Bulgarians as a nation, or as individuals are not the devil. Each nation has its own problems, its own knaves. My ex colleagues told me that they did not meet a single Briton to work so hard and to have such a huge desire to be successful.
The fact that I was born in a doomed country, does not make me automaticaly, a criminal or even inferior. I did not ask to be born here, it wasn't my choice, so I think that I have the right to change this. I am a graduate economist with years of experience in sales, accountancy and human resources - with knowledge of foreign languages and with a great working power.
My desire to work and live in Britain is not based on economic reasons (I have a big proprety and a good living standard here), it is based on my desire to be part of, what I called 'The Alpha People'. I am not seeking for benefits, I just want to be there legally. For me, it is very difficult to understand why we the Romanians and the Bulgarians have different treatment than the rest of EU countries or all other people from Asia or wherever.
Therefore, in my opinion, this is pure discrimination. The problem with the rise of crimes - it's another false problem. All those who went to the UK in order to foul the laws had no problems, as long one can enter in the UK as a tourist for a period of up to three months. They are already there, they are not in the country to seek work but so that they can do their 'business'.
And most important, they have not the smallest thoughts of leaving after the three months period. Unfortunately, these are the first "ambassadors" from each country, whenever a new market is opened. Keeping the labour market close, the only result is that you will not allow the other ones to work in UK (hard workers, skilled and educated persons which want a legal status and to be part of the society as decent citizens).
Plus, in this way, you as a government, encourage the illegal employment. Anyway, I have no intention to give lessons, but I know that I will be back, in the worst case after less than 14 months from now on. My love for that country and the respect for their achievements are far too big to resist.
Calin - Livezeni, Romania
Only we Brits who should have a say about immigration into our country.
Peter Hodge - Up Holland, Lancashire
I worked in a hotel that was employing Bulgarians illegally. Most did not want to integrate and learn English. Young English people should be given these jobs. Please save our country
Anon
The tone of this article is misleading and sounds of cheap anti-European propaganda. Now you pick on Romanian and Bulgarians, next will follow the Greeks, Spanish or Irish who head to London and the UK for a job - and you will probably end up excluding the Commonwealth citizens? How shallow is that?
Romanian in Ireland - Romania
Having read the thoughtful comments of the Bulgarians and Romanians living here in the UK. Thank you all for coming but you where never 'invited' by the people of the UK to live here. Only by the so-called leadership of the UK and the euro -crates of Brussels.
My grandfather fought for more than five years to keep this country free and a 'green and pleasant land'. Unfortunately, his service was wasted and thrown away by the various governments of the last 40 years; having handed over this country to a hostile foreign power and allowed invaders (sorry, but look up the definition of the word in a dictionary) from all over Europe to occupy this country - while at the same time allowing the local population to become lazy and complacent.
And lowering the skill sets of the workforce - a race to the bottom for both pay and jobs. I accept that most Eastern Europeans work hard and for low pay, often doing work that UK people would refuse to do.
I don't blame you for this. I blame the weak leadership of the UK over the last 40 years. Nether Bulgaria or Romania have any long standing historical or cultural links to the UK.
Andy - Chelmsford
Andy, your comments are shameful. The Romanians and Bulgarians that live here today and those that may travel in the future to live and work in the UK have been invited. They were invited when the UK agreed to the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU.
Every member state of the time agreed to this, not just the UK. The UK also has agreed to the freedom of movement of people due to its continued membership of the EU. However, restrictions still apply to the member states that joined in 2007, it is now 2012.
These countries have been fully-fledged members for five years and the UK is still imposing restrictions on their citizens. It is an embarrassment to our advanced nation. Read some more history, people fought in the war to liberate Europe and its citizens, not just for the UK.
At the end of the war, the continent knew that cooperation was the way forward. What is the point in taking a step backwards and being restrictive to choice member states of the EU. Usually and unfortunately from Eastern Europe.
Nobody's service was wasted, we now live in a free and peaceful Europe where people can cooperate and move forward together. What is your issue with Romanians and Bulgarians? The UK would benefit from another cultural wealth of knowledge towards its industries (those that are left!), they could even bring deeply needed industry to the UK.
One last thing Andy, cultural and historical links with Romania? It's very well know that our own Royal Family are linked to the Romanian Monarchy:
Vlad the Impaler.
Patrick - Oxford
I also support the idea that every country should have control on its own immigration. I have been living in the UK for over four years now. I study and work here. I also believe that, yes, unfortunately there are a large number of Romanians who come here for illegal purposes. I do however believe that Mr Bloom is being quite selective with Romania and Bulgaria.
On one side, I cannot blame him. The UK has lost control of its borders to some extent and it has done quite some damage. On the other hand though, I believe he should be focusing more on the problem at large rather then picking out Romania and Bulgaria. He is probably using this upcoming problem as a way to instill sensationalism and appeal to fundamental feelings of patriotism from the British people at large. It is after a political marketing tactic.
Nonetheless, I will say that I do support UKIP on a majority of topics and I am myself Romanian by birth. That fact, though, doesn't dictate my chosen allegiance to the British culture, tradition and land. I didn't choose to be born in Romanian, but I chose to live in Britain, work and study and also fight for Britain well being. I believe in my heart that being British is a choice - not something granted. I'm saying this because i see many mates of mine not give a damn about this country in contrast to how much i care, a bit of an irony isn't it?
Marco - London
Give the British people a referendum and stop the lot, we have too many Eastern Europeans taking jobs when we have enough unemployment.
No name supplied
I always thought people that write such articles would be extremely well informed. This is not the case with Mr Godfrey Bloom unfortunately. I don't take much pride in being a Romanian because this country is constantly going the wrong way and its leaders are all (almost without exception) working against their people.
These people are very hard to control. We shouldn't take the blame for what they do. There is good and bad in every European country but I can't belive we are the worst.
Tibi C - Romania
Why when we have big unemployment should we allow any more immigrants in? If anything, we should be shipping a lot back to Poland and other Eastern European countries. Free movement has got to be stopped. In fact, reversed. We can no longer keep letting people in.
bob fenwick - UK
Mr Bloom, I just want to point out for the record - after spending more than five years in the UK (I also did my degree there), I just couldn't see my future in this country so I left. I wasn't the only one. I'm afraid to say, Mr Bloom, that your country isn't as 'great' as you think it is (just looking at the amount of depressed people on the streets will tell you that there is something wrong).
A Bulgarian who left the UK - Bulgarian, London
Secure the borders, then we can concentrate on trying to fix the rest of the mess.
Anonymous
Romanian, stay where you are.
Anonymous
Mr Bloom has a point of view that will probably have to please some people he cares about, too. He has a point, however he's exposing nothing but the bad parts. I am Romanian, I lived for few years in UK where I've also done my MBA (well known private school however who charged me twice as if I was a Brit). However, I haven't robbed or done things to be ashamed of.
I do agree that are many bad people that happen to be Romanians and for those guys I'll have no good things to say except that I will put them in jail forever - far away from Romania and UK.
Having said that, most Romanians are more than ok. They try to adapt to local culture, to learn the local language and act as a local. They are hard working and most of them are well educated.
There are many British-born people that are not happy with Romanians and Bulgarians. I can tell you that Brits are doing bad things inside and outside uk, too.
As an example, most brits settled in Spain are using a UK registered car withour a valid MOT or tax since 5-7 years ago. On top of that, they don't mind parking on parking spots designed for disable people, knowing that Spanish police won't fine them. This will bother also few Brits that nave registered their cars on spanish plates.
There are probably more than 1.2 million Brits along the Spanish coasts from Valencia to Malaga and I can tell you Spanish are not happy at all. They've taken their jobs, best places to live in and don't even care to learn Spanish. Instead, they choose to bring their own doctors and teachers, and if they have their own business are looking for staff who can speak proper English, which most Spanish can't.
Another example: Torrevieja is the city with the highest criminal rate in Spain. Why? Almost 60 per cent of its inhabitants are British. I don't think you'll find Romanians or Bulgarians driving around in London a car with not MOT, tax or insurance.
Armand - Spain
The British people have never ever been consulted on this open borders nonsense. The politicians know damn well what the answer will be. Where are all these newly arrived EU migrants going to live? Who is going to pay for their healthcare? Who will foot the bill for their children's education? We don't want the EU and we certainly don't want foreigners being able to just come and settle here simply because they are European.
Radu - London
I tell you what would happen if all the immigrants stopped working, wages would rise and the wealth gap would narrow; and all the benefits to society that brings would be of benefit for the normal working Brit. It may well also encourage the workshy off benefits. But with an endless supply of cheap migrant labour, things will not improve.
No name left
Typical exaggerated nationalist party rubbish. And 12 per cent? LOL. All you need to do is put restrictions on who can arrive here. It clearly states that only highly qualified individuals from Romania and Bulgaria can come to the UK.
So is it the EU's fault that you have no border control? Or is it your fault? Stop blaming it on the EU and deal with the UK border issues instead.
Mastercoat - UK
So, 30 million people in Romania and Bulgaria? You exaggerate and that's why Britain is going down slowly and surely.
No name given
No matter what anyone says, it will never change. Get used to it - plunder the system while you still can because that's exactly what the migrants are going to do.
Banjo Boulton - Nottingham
A simple question - why do we need yet more immigrants when there are not enough jobs available as it is? Why should we be the ones to provide for other countries' citizens? You need to pull your socks up and get your own country sorted.
By running away, you show no loyalty to your homeland. It's short sighted to think sending money home every month will help as in the long term, it will only make your country an even worse off place to live. No offence intended but its utter madness.
No name left
No disrespect but why when you talk about foreigners has it got to be Eastern Europeans? What about Asia, Africa, South America, the US, Germany, Italy, France etc. And youu Britain, what have you got to put on the table? Immigrants, really.
No name left
"The poverty-stricken nation". Let me enlighten you a little bit. Our country is very rich but very poorly run by an inept bunch of people who run the country. So please do some investigating before insulting another country.
No name left
All UK wants to show is the negative side of the country. Why not show the beautiful side, how many talented people champions and clever children Romania has? We have had enough since 2006 with the UK messing us about with the restrictions.
Stop downgrading us. We are not as bad as you make us look. If one person from Romania does something bad don't put everyone in the same basket. I have never seen a more racist country than the UK in all my life.
Stop Racisim. Ann - London
@ Romanian in Ireland - Romania. The tone of this article is misleading and sounds like cheap anti-European propaganda. Now you pick on Romanian and Bulgarians, next will follow the Greeks, Spanish or Irish who head to London and the UK for a job - and you will probably end up excluding the Commonwealth citizens? How shallow is that?
James Irish guy - Cork, Ireland
Hear, hear that is good news to stop this kind of abuse happening in the UK. The electorate should take heed and stop this huge migration from happening which will further put a strain on our already fragile system and resources.
At a time when the Tories want to cut pensions, income support, family credit and so on it doesn't make sense to invite further migrants to claim further jobseekers allowance and housing benefits. Write to Theresa May and the Tory government to show our feeling of disgust at allowing such vile practices to take place.
Sam Justice - Manchester
This article is misleading and the author is seemingly ignorant and biased. Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story, right, Mr Bloom? If you ever went to Romania, which I am sure you haven't, you would know that Romanians have good lives, nice cars, big houses and money also.
Half of Romania's economy is not in the statistics, because the government is incapable of having a proper fiscal policy. And the extent of crime in Romania is not bigger or less than other countries.
So do some research Mr Bloom, before writing silly articles.
Bogdan - Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Valya Toneva. Our government signed the EU deals, not the UK people. The majority of UK people do not want anything to do with EU integration. What the people of the UK want, but are being prevented from voting on, is a withdrawal from the EU but remaining within a free-trade area only.
Eastern europeans do work hard in this country, but unfortunately the result is that you are forcing down the unskilled pay rate in this country, which is going to lead to catastophic social issues in the long term. It cannot be allowed to continue.
SJHELC - UK
Bulgaria has less than sevn million people, most of them childen and persioners - and most of the youth have jobs. Britain is not a prefered destination among us Bulgarians. How many of us do you think would consider coming to the UK ?
Richard Fazliu - Pleven, Bulgaria
Dear Mr.Bloom. I do understand some of your concerns but what I cannot understand is why did you, the British people, allow the situation? You have housed almost the whole third world - people who don't speak your language, don't respect your culture, or any European culture. People who have little or no education at all.
My question is - have you ever written an article about those people in Britain? The Bulgarians and Romanians are at least Europeans by origin and as such they share the same believes and culture as the other Europeans, most of them are better educated than your own people and even speak better English than the British. As EU members, they pay taxes and contribute to the EU budget.
Why don't you write an article about the Romanian and Bulgarian students in Britain? Why don't you ask question about how parents of such students pay their taxes and their life expenses? Or how much money we leave in Britain every year and how do our children raise the ratings of the universities they study in?
For some of us the flow of money is to Britain, not the other way around. In the end, to calm you down, I would like to assure you that some of our well educated children do not find your country attractive anymore just because they feel more at home in Europe, in contrast to Britain. Thank you for your attention.
Antonia - Sofia, Bulgaria
Immigrants only benefit England as most of them only come here to work, as the wages are better and the jobs are more plentiful. Not many Bulgarians will stay here forever, what they want is to earn some money and invest them back home. And this is good for both, them and this country as they will pay taxes.
As far as benefit scrounges, it is UK benefit system that allows this to happen. It has to be changed as it feeds the lazy dummies that are numerous in this country. How can someone live on the dole all his life? It is insane.
In Bulgaria, this is where I come from, you would get benefits only if you have paid taxes. I am a skilled worker who has educated British kids for 12 years, and believe me, I am more needed here than in Bulgaria; as there are not many people with physics degrees here.
I am very sad to find out that I , according to the author, am unwanted and despised. The truth is, that I never worked as physicist in my country, simply because there are too many educated people there.
As far as the fears, that we, the immigrants will burden your NHS. This is absolute rubbish, as Bulgarian healthcare is much better. There are no waiting lists at all. I always see doctors in Bulgaria, it is only three hours flight and it is not a problem. So get yourself familiar with what sort of country Bulgaria actually is.
Jeni - Bulgaria
I think we should kick them all out when we leave the EU. Why should they be hear anyway ? They are a drain on society, with the crime and prostitution they bring to Britain.
J morcon - Glasgow
Very good article. I realy think that it is the right time for the UK to leave EU.
Londonright - london
Why do we need the Romanians and Bulgarians, keep them away; it is really going to harm this country. It is bad enough having all the other Eastern Europeans here, they take everything. Cameron please stop this open border rubbish, the only people it benefits are the Eastern Europeans - not British people.
Scout - London
Pandora's box is open now.
John - Milton keynes
Please, please, please Mr Cameron free this country from Europe. Every £500 paid into Europe, we only see £10 back. Could you imagine the employment rate drop if are borders were tough to cross. Our soldiers need to defend Dover, not Afghanistan. Killing Britain softly.
martin - Birmingham
How many more people are we going to let into England when we can't even house our own. This is not even funny anymore. For god sake, when is it going to stop?
Anonymous
The best thing for Britain and the British People (and I include commonwealth Citizens as British) is to leave the EU. Our territorial eaters are fished by European fleets, depriving the UK of the financial income.
We contribute to and follow countless EU projects and rules, which waste money and inconvience the UK population - the CAP, the Working Time Directive, the Human Rights Act are just a few.
The threat of economic meltdown is false. There is a world of emerging econonies and countries that we can market to and buy from, which is currently restriced by heavy taxation subject to common market rules.
In short, the EU needs the UK a lot more than it cares to admit. The UK would only lose a voice in the decision making processes, which most UK citizens agree are dicisions that are bad for us as a nation. Our relationship with the rest of the world would benefit as the UK would remind the world that it will not be dictated to by a foreign power (the creation of the EU was designed to equalise economic power between France and Germany and in doing so prevent germany becoming the 'eowerhouse it was at the start of WW2).
The UK would not 'lose out' and the only relationships that may be strained are political ones. Would you end a business relationship that is mutually beneficial just because the UK wants to leave the political scene in europe and reclaim its territory/waters/border control/financial freedom?
I didn't think so. In short - the EU is at best a badly run, poorly managed, inflexible conveyor belt of wastage and redtape, At worst, it is a corrupt bloated giant lumbering towards the 1950's ideal of 'one Europe' with one government and one currency and one parliment.
Josh - London, UK
The issue is not with people from Bulgaria or from Romania, nor is it with immigration per se. In my opinion, the real threat is our population density. At the end of the day, the UK is a small country with limited infrastructure.
If this increase continues, we will get to the stage where the country will not be able to cope. Scaremongering like this article does not help with things, nor do some of the comments (no matter how justified the Bulgarian/Romanian people are), which only serve to get the British people's back up.
anon - UK
Romanians and Bulgarians aren't going to come in a bigger wave to work for your minimum wage, or to steal and cheat. If that's their intention, they can easily do it now and they could have done that in the past as well.
What's going to happen is that people that have great skills will finally have the right to get a decent job, without having to satisfy your criteria. I had to use all the money my parents saved up in order to do an MSc here, just so I can get a better paid job.
Why? Because otherwise nobody would have recognised my abilities and knowledge. The one question I always got since I wanted to work in the UK was "have you got a working permit".
It didn't matter that I had what it took to get the job, what really mattered was that I didn't have that recycled-paper blue card that said "you are free from restrictions". So, my dear people, when the restrictions finally end, it's not the thieves and the working class that will get your jobs. It's those that worked their whole life to become specialists.
Really now? - UK
Dear people, read this article and think where our money as taxpayers' goes? Who will we trust?
No name - London
These are probably the two most lawless states in Europe. Haven't we got enough criminals of our own without allowing thousands more to come here because it will be the crminals in these countries who will be the ones that can afford to come here.
No name
We are already bursting. We do not need anymore people coming here. They will not be welcome. A referendum on Europe would prove that.
Bulldog - West Mids
Charles Darwin warns in the Origin of Species how large population increase of humans will harm the wildlife and environment.
F - Edinburgh, Scotland
Totally agree. Great article. Funny seeing all the grumpy Romanian and Bulgarians calling you names, whipping out strawmen and demanding the right to make Britain Bulgaria. They have no respect for us, at all.
Andrew Moncrieff - Hereford
Is this really going ahead? Surely David Cameron isn't that silly to proceed?
Anon
Britain is full of bimbos and idiots, I don't think anyone really wants to live in Britain; immigrants come to earn some money and leave the country. Britain has nothing - bad climate, no longer a global power, no more jobs, the country is full of drunks.
Come on get a grip. The country has nothing to offer. It still survives on your great grand fathers' reputation. The current generation has nothing to offer. It is no longer Great Britain, it is the great loser
Moriz - London
I agree with Godfrey Bloom entirely. I wonder if the Bulgarian and Romanian governments are worried about how many English are ready to flock there. I think not.
Karen. - London
Valya is completely right. First of all, it's easy to throw all Romanians and Bulgarians in one pit and cover them with mud just because you had a gang of Romanians who stole from old people. I do not hear anything about the Romanian George Iacobescu, who was just knighted by the Queen or the Romanian young female doctor who is teaching at Imperial College London.
What about what some English people do? What about Baby P? What about Jimmy Savile or the Englishmen Tom who went to Romania and raped over 25 young male children? There are good people and bad ones in every culture, there are many Romanian soldiers who fight out there along British ones because we are in the EU.
We have no fight with Afghanistan but we are by your side. And these numbers are absurd, as if each and every able bodied man and woman will get in a car and make a run for Britain on January 1 next year. There are not so many of us and not all who come settle here. Many are bullied for being of different origins.
Sophie - UK
Log onto e-petitions at direct.gov.uk and sign the petition to stop mass immigration from Romania and Bulgaria on January 1, 2014. Give your support.
Great Britain should not be used and abused by every country to come and take our jobs to send money back home. My country is now a foreign land. Shame on successive governments allowing this to happen.
Karen - London
T May can borrow my shredder anytime.
David Curtis
The whole charade is a joke. It needs to stop now. We are a sinking ship, being overloaded with yet more passengers. I'm ashamed to live here.
maxine - lincolnshire
We are full up. It doesn't matter how hard they work, how well educated, it's stretching our resources to breaking point. We are not geared up to have such an influx while people are losing their jobs.
Helena Pigott - Lincoln
Can somebody answer my question? I'm an immigrant from another country and if UK gets out of EU - what does my family do? I really want to finish school here and get a good education but if the UK quits the EU - do my family have to come back to my country? I really do want to stay here, and I also think its not fair to do this. So my question is: if the UK quits the EU - is my family still allowed to get benefits, can they still work and can I go to school?
Lithuanian - UK
Speaking has a British citizen we should not take it out on other people that come to our country and work hard, stay within the rules plus want to make a better life for there family's. But we must stop the number of people that are coming into Britain. We have been told only this week that the imagination office have a backlog of people they need to grant or send back but cannot get through the vast amounts that need to be done and the numbers are getting bigger by the day.
This is no fault of the immigrants but of our government that has allowed this to happen, so you can see from this that we need to stop people coming to live here until we short out the problems we have. I also would like to come out of the EU and take our country back to the days when we ruled this country. The good old days when Britain was British .
Andrew - Nottingham, England
I am just more than shocked. Excuse me but this person just went over the top. Who are you to attack Bulgarians like that and call us names? Who are you to even include us in all this nonsense? How do we contribute so significantly to the immigration issue in this country?
If people like you , Mr , actually tried to do something productive then you wouldn't be talking about nations with population of seven million tops. How did we step on your ego ? Why don't people like you stop attacking the weaker parties and think of the countries , which actually contribute to the immigration problem?
How many Bulgarians do you think there are in the UK compared to other nationalities? How many? Is it even remotely close to the number of people from so many countries? No its not. But why don't you write about them?
Because maybe, lets see, they are bigger and stronger so you want to throw dirt at the easy target. Instead of being happy that so many gifted and clever Bulgarians come here and working against the actual cause of the problem you blab around. Yes, I guess there is nothing else to do is there?
Tsarena - Reading, UK
Great. More people we don't need or want. I hate this country for being so weak.
John
We dont want our country flooded with too many people. We have enough as it is and I think it should stop. We're only a small country as it is. Why not choose America. At least Australia has the right idea on border control. We're weak and useless.
Marky - English born and bred
Shame, I always thought England to be a fine country with some respect for the people living there. Now looking at those awfully discriminating statements and seeing how so many British people refuse to use their brains and see through this man's intentions, it makes me feel utterly disgusted.
Since there will be elections in the UK in 2015, why not ruin the imagine of the present government by blaming them for letting immigrants in and ruing the economy? It's all dirty tricks on Mr Bloom's side.
Shame that most people can't realise it, it's that simple, politics, my darlings.
It's true that Bulgaria and Romania aren't the best countries, it's true that people are poor and corrupted. As a Bulgarian myself, I can't deny this. But not all of us are like that. Even so, i dont think you should be that worried, since the working people in Bulgaria are probably around three million people - and frankly, I don't think that most of them have the guts or the money to leave the country and try to find a job in the UK.
It's too much of a risk, you know, especially when you are poor. I cannot say how things are in Romania, but I doubt that it's much more different.
Face it, we do not live for the moment in which we will be able to come and "invade" your precious country, I'm sorry.
Frankly, I don't find The UK is a better working place than, say, Germany, Holland, Sweden, and the rest of the countries in the European union. And in case you want to leave the European Union, please be my guests. I think it will be quite amusing to see for how long your country and economy will survive on their own.
Personally, I think neither of your politicians will agree to do that, though. It's like an angry dog that barks, but won't bite. So Brits (at least the hateful part of you), calm yourselves. Because being hateful and hostile won't do anything good to neither of us.
With lots of love, an 18-year-old Bulgarian girl
A fine read, Mr Bloom. I applaud your elaborate ruse to coerce your fellow politicians into bringing a higher emphasis on education throughout Britain.
On the off-chance that this was not an elaborate ruse, I recommend returning your wages to your employer; it is only fair that you do. Also, though I object to your notion that Romania and Bulgaria need to be paired in all things political. I will encourage that you bring Romania in on any subject concerning its neighbour.
My support (whatever it may be worth nowadays) goes unconditionally towards any Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrainian and Hungarian as our country stands not in the middle of the sea, nor is it creating a diplomatic moat of salty sea water around its own interests.
Are you particularly scared of the fact that this new found workforce competition will brood a more intellingent, better informed British youth; no longer to vote and support pathetic people?
Felix - Romania, Iasi
At least we come here to work.
Andrei - London
Mr Bloom you seem to be very ill-informed. First of all, I am a man of the world and as it happens I am a Romanian national living in Kensington London for the past decade.
No lets try some other facts: 1) Outside central London, it feels like in the jungle no disrespect to the to people living in Elephant and Castle, Brixton, Peckham, Berdmonsey. Not to mention Hackney and so many other places that I will be here all day.
2) And 90 per cent of your crime is committed by British passport holders - in other words your youth and below 30s are leading a life of alcohol and drugs. As a matter a fact, London alone in one weekend uses more drugs than all the other EU nations in one week put together.
3) The amount of hypocrisy that you represent is appalling for your party and you make the good English man look bad while he travels abroad.
4) For you law enforcement and slow NHS, guess who is paying. Let me tell you. The immigrants are taxed and the money literally stays in the country for the benefit of the English nation.
5) I am not oblivious of the fact that a tiny very small number of travellers or some gangs are in the UK committing petty crimes but lets keep the sense and reality and not exaggerate. As a matter of fact, since January 2007 Bulgarian and Romanians are free to travel as they please so the way you are making it look is not what it is. In other words the criminals can come and go since 2007.
Hello, we are in 2013 Mr Bloom - therefore lifting the work permits will not make any difference, besides your benefit as a nation. Triple dip recession.
6) You the UK regardless of the government in power signed a treaty with the EU, period. If you dont respect it literally under the EU law, you will be out of the EU and visa will be imposed on your own people even to travel to France - and you have to pay dearly for not being under the EU free market.
You will be left literally out alone in the cold. Wake up English nation. You're are being used and abused by, forgive me, hypocrites. Humbly yours, a man of the words and as it happens a Romanian.
D Toma - London, Kensington and Chelsea
I quite understand why Bulgarians and Romanians want ro come to the uk and I'm sure they are hard working worthy people but tha fact is we are full. We have a groaning NHS service, overcrowded schools and severe lack of housing so give us a break and go else where. Why does everyone want ro come ro England when there are other European countries nearer?
Could it be for our over generous benefit system? As an indigenous member of this beautiful country, forgive me but I feel that we are asked to support all and sundrie and we have more than enough of our own benefit recipients - without inviting those from other countries. Would I get the same generous treatment form Eastern European countries signed up to this treaty if I went there to work? Please somebody advise me.
Linda Heald - Chichester, England.
"Currently 90 per cent of cash point fraud is allegedly perpetrated by Romanian gangs." Allegedly, you have chosen the perfect word. People like you, sir, give Romanians a bad name - always with the alleged facts, with the statistics.
Allow me to ask this question - why do you never talk of the good things about Romanians? How many hard working, law abiding Romanians are there in the UK?
People that clean your toilets, farm your lands and build your buildings, for a few pounds? You never seem to tell us those statistics and facts. For shame on you Mr Godfrey Bloom.This kind of anti-Romanian propaganda will not serve any purpose, except showing the world what types of people exist in the UK.
Alex - Romania
Most of the Romanians that deal with burglary, are in gangs. Even though they come from Romania, most of the real Romanians look down on them and do not call them Romanian; even though their nationality is one. Because everyone from the western countries does not want to discriminate, they put us all in the same bowl.
Instead of not discriminating and falling prey to what happens, discriminate against them and before letting a Romanian or a Bulgarian in the UK do some research as to if that person is in a gang or not - and if he or she is, don't let them in. Stop generalising and use discrimination in your favour. It's not racism, it's discrimination and it's acceptable.
The discriminator - UK
I totally understand those who leave their countries in search for a better life for themselves. I'm sure it isn't easy to get up and leave. Now, what I can't understand are those who leave and become street-walking prostitutes. It's a big problem. Why don't they stay in Romania and do that kind of work there?
No name
I wonder if British people can realise what the article above actually means. The day will come when they will refresh their moral and ethical values. They will have to.
Valentina - Gabrovo, Bulgaria
I have great respect for Godfrey Bloom, he is an amazing MEP. I follow him in all the videos they make, and watch them take on Mr Barroso and Rumpy Pumpy with ghusto. However, I must say that in a perfect world we should have our "neighbours" in and the Middle Eastern hangers on thrown out.
Kafur
Mass immigration for any country on the planet is not an intelligent idea. The EU plan was a ridiculous idea from the start as it encourages a rush of economic migrants into a growing economy and then creates strain on the nations services and housing.
How has a mass arrival of Polish benefitted the UK? It seem that this policy only benefits countries with high unemployment. Why don't we learn from the Canadians and create an intelligent immigration policy, which allows in people who have skilled that are in short supply.
We need to take a stand and limit all EU immigration from Poland and other countries. It's time that British people spoke out on this issue, otherwise we need to change our government to a more intelligent one.
Erin - UK
There is seriously something wrong with you if you think that Britain's immigration problems come from Bulgarians and Romanians. There was a comment about it already, but still are you aware that the majority of UK's immigrants are Indian, Arabic and Chinese? These are 70 per cent of the people you see every day on the streets.
But you are making a campaign aimed specifically at Bulgatians and Romanians. You let people who are not EU citizens live in your country. Your problems are entirely your fault. Wake up and cut the crap.
None - None
Facts matter. The utterings of bigots and middle-class racists do not. It does however display the acute ignorance, populism and anti-intellectualism of a segment of British society. If you combine this with a dash of residual post-imperial smugness and sense of self importance, you get this. Sir, you really don't matter that much.
Britian is an important country in Europe, but certainly not critical to the EU itself. You are however incredibly integrated and dependant on the EU economy, which means that your choices are limited at the outset. You can choose to remain within the EU and have a seat at the table, or leave and become an unofficial member like Norway or the Swiss.
A free trade agreement however won't cut it, since this would still lock you out of most of the four freedoms and hurt your ability to export. Moreover, the country's strategic strength in financial services is utterly dependant on the economic union. From the talented foreigners that keep the square mile rich, to the banks that use London as European headquarters, facts matter.
It's funny though, there was a time when Britain championed economic liberalism and openess. We now have parties on the right who want to restrict people's economic freedoms and curtail competition. They decry the 'big bosses' who benefit from migration and decry the effects immigration has on the creaky welfare state of modern Britian. Natural rights? Freedom? Mobility? Curtailing the power of the state?
There is no greater liberal mantra in the modern world than the four freedoms at the EU's core. UKIP is a symptom of how utterly lost Britian is; a shameful end to 500 years of exceptionalism.
The Last Liberal - London
The truth is that you fear Romanian and Bulgarians. Our youth is much more educated, hard-working and intelligent than British youth or others and you know that we will steal your good jobs. Your youth are in the pubs drinking beer, while we work and learn.
And don't forget that criminals are everywhere and you won't be able to stop them by putting work restrictions on them. They don't need a yellow card or blue card to steal. Soon, English people will be the minority in their own country.
Andrea - London, Ro
Who are the new fascists in Europe and who wants them?
Boris - Sofia
Why not set in the UK a Swiss-type quota for Eastern European or other immigration? Hello, there are solutions around if one cares to look beyond the Albion. The UK has exaxtly the same problems as other European countries and managed immigration helps to solve some of those.
Oiar - Latvia
Sounds like unjustified singling out two nations to me. If the UK does not want more immigration, then just give up the European project, the free market included - and see Scotland join instead. Romanians will find other places in the EU labour market.
Richard
I'm leaving the minute they let the Romanian crime gangs in.
No name
UKIP is indeed narrow minded, clarifying all Romanians and Bulgarians as beggars and theives. There is crime and corruption committed by British people too. Does UKIP really think there are no British beggars or criminals targeting vulnerable or elderly people or commiting fraud?
Cowboy builders conning money out of people for dangerous building work for example, burglars disguised as waterboard officials gaining admitance to people's pensioners houses and robbing them. Corrruption - now there is an interesting point raised. The British administration is not so sweet and innocent either. One could argue that there is evidence of "rot at the top" here too. The expenses scandal, for example. My point is that one does not have to go very far in order to discover "rot at the top". There is good and bad everywhere, if you care to look.
The truth is the EU has bought many great benefits to us Brits - we are not so isolated and inward looking as we once were. My school teacher in the mid 1970s did not believe I had been to Hungary on a train for my summer holidays. Exchange of cutture benefit our society. The greatest benefit one might argue is the country's general outlook, about how other Europeans do things and what we could do better.
Our 21st century identity is seen by others such as the United States Russia or China as European. Britain's strength and its international influence is also perceived by others as being European. That is how the outside world percieves us. It is also, deep down, how tomorrows British citizens will see themselves.
Mr Krudy - Northampton, United Kingdom
You are missing the bigger picture, the UK cannot isolate itself. Jobs are flowing from all western countries to China and India, and local competition is good if you want to keep any taxable jobs in UK.
The world crisis will increase criminality in all countries. We need to prepare the justice and police force to face it in all countries, including EU and UK. Your current solution is a temporary patch, and a recipe for future UK disaster.
No name given
Stop discriminating against us. We (Romanians and Bulgarians) are smart, educated, polite, hard working and we don't steal.
Anon
One word for the author - demagogue. And by the way - the recent scandals in the British parliament, police, journalism and even the army speak for themselves.
UK citizen - Leeds
The educated people don't steal. Is insulting to mix them with the thieves that through the history have been migrating west and now have reached UK. Tune-up the justice department.
No name given
Simply stigmatise a group of human beings, this is unacceptable.
Martin - Notts
Can all the left-leaning whaling banshees please stop signing off with Bulgarian and Romanian sounding names because you are, quite simply fooling nobody. Also, would these people please tell the rest of us where we will house these migrants? Do you want the government to concrete over yet more invaluable British countryside?
The European economic model can only work if there is a relatively level playing field and sadly that is not the case. It's like a boat with 20 people seated on board. If 18 people go to the starboard end, the boat will capsize. I do not see one million British people making for Romania do you? The criminal vicious labelling of individuals who bring up immigration as racist will go down in history as the outlandish disgusting conduct that it is.
Extra Prolific - Britain
Looking at all these comments. Sad. Only a few negative comments from the mighty Brits and usually it is just two or three lines. Such 'educated' people. Why the statistics depecting a big invasion from Bulgaria and Romania?
Ireland opened the labour market for them and I didn't hear of any invasion so far. The UK is not a power anymore and hasn't been for a while. Seriously, Romanians and Bulgarians, why would you even get offendet by these ignorants and why would you guys want to go to UK anyway?
Do you guys really want to pay for their 'mighty Brits' that are on social welfare all of their lives? The tax money paied by foreigners in the UK stays there. Foreigners are doing a big favour to the UK by working there. If the Brits think they are in a bad situation now, they will give a new meaning to the word bad once they go out of EU.
Roxy - Ireland
So many people who want to stop something instead of doing something. Not doing has always been easier, that's a fact. Blaming and throwing a fit because it's difficult to deal with economic problems has always been the easiest way to not deal with the situation.
Almost two years ago, I came to the UK to get a job here and a British qualification. I got a job quite easily as a support worker and I'm payed the same as my English colleagues, so no underpayment here. My previous experience as a teacher in Romania (less my work as a journalist though) was an advantage when I applied for the job.
On the other hand, I can tell you how difficult was for my manager to find other people to fill the job when my Romanian colleague went on maternity leave and the Filipino girl had to leave. Why so? Maybe because there weren't English people around to fill in the job?
So sitting around saying Eastern Europeans steal the young English people's jobs seems ridiculous to me. Creating monsters in the collective consciousness and subconscious of British people won't save the UK from anything. It will only benefit the politicians, as it has in my home country for so long now.
But, you know, if the world wasn't as it is - if we humans weren't as we are, the old corrupted politicians who have made my country a place where I don't want to live anymore wouldn't have been there in the first place.
Catalina Letitia - Christchurch
As long as people still think in terms of "other country's citizens" and "go back where you came from" (this would mean, kind of, in your mother's womb?), this world will keep going down. Because there's nowhere else to go from here, unless human beings change the way they think. And the way they build their reality.
Catalina Letitia - Christchurch
Some of the comments on this article are hilarious. Romanians and Bulgarians getting all defensive, then their location is somewhere in Great Britain. One large payment to break the agreement is better than continuing to let people come in to the country and reap the benefits that are handed to them.
Saying this country is the way it is because of our politicians, well right back at you. But we aren't skipping country by the boatload. And how many are not accounted for here? The ones who haven't applied for work permits? Scurrying around illegally in shops and takeaway restaurants.
I worked in a chipshop and only one out of the four men were allowed to be here. We are a sinking ship and we cant handle any more weight, not until we're fixed. Be patient. We will do it.
Lauren Webster - Consett, County Durham
The problem is not with any one group of people, it's the sheer scale of immigration to this country. I read we should be grateful so many educated Europeans want to come here but surely you would be doing your own country a greater service if you repay your education by staying where you are.
Paul - UK
We do not need or want or have any use for Romanians, Bulgarians or any other immigrants. We are full. Stay at home.
Leon - Leeds, UK
Don't need any immigrants? Stay home? Kind of late for that, the UK is after all the home of all the Asian and African Commonwealth.
No name
The EU is a dream, now its stupid. Mass unemployment, millions out of work. Who is benifiting from this? The 1 per cent. It's time the people rise up and say enough is enough.
Get back to reality. Most countries don't like each others cultures. That's a fact.
No leaders are listening to the peope. The people are running out of patience, when leaders stop listening to the people, strange things start to happen.
Judyvancouver - Burnaby, Canada, WWF
But to the British people - why walk free in Europe? We need to put restrictions in place.
.i. - India
The fear comments from British politicians come as a result from their own weakness to create and implement appropriate policies for the UK. It has nothing to do with the Bulgarians, the Romanians or any other nation or population roaming the EU freely.
As a Bulgarian, I would like to ask those who demonise Bulgarians and Romanians, how they can imagine the EU without free movement of people, capitals and goods? People have to realise that this works both ways. You cannot expect us to welcome English products and capitals and workers from England. This language of hate should stop. The sooner the better.
Ziezi - Sofia, Bulgaria
These are worrying times. Ask me for my advice for I have a voice should you wish to here it. So many subjects are used as a smoke screen for the real issues, the important issues. Issues that affect every British man, woman and child. UKIP leaders have the abillity to turn this tide, I hope my one vote will help.
John Swinton - Finedon, GB, 0AP
Romanians and Bulgarians commenting on this article seem to be very uptight about British people not wanting another influx of immigrants. It is nothing personal, Looking at this from our point of view, how would you feel if you were us?
Immigration is on everyones minds, this country is at breaking point.Our quality of life is diminishing. is it ok for foreigners to come to our country live 10 to a house, take our jobs then send money back home?
When you return home, your country hasn't changed unlike ours. No it isn't just about you, we have too many foreigners here full stop. British people are just very angry at the changing face of our country in recent years, it's not about disliking you.
Does anyone know the statistics of how many British have settled in other EU countries? It wouldn't work for us. How much child benefit is Poland sending over to the UK for British people working there, having left their children at home?
Just for the record, we're sending one million a week to Poland. The trouble with the EU where England is concerned is that it's a' one way street'. Statistics would be good anyone.
Karen - London
What will UK get out of Bulgaria and Romania? Nothing, nobody in this country will move there to work. Like the Polish taking our jobs. If it wasn't for them, there would be more than 600,000 British people working instead of claiming benefits, whose jobs the Poles are doing instead of a British national.
RSL - UK
This country is not a charity case. Only 150 years ago there were children dying on the streets of England because people couldn't afford to look after them. Britain has come a long way in a small amount of time. The only reason people want to migrate to this country is for 'the free money and health service'.
Well actually, truth be told, for the good honest people of this country, it's not free. At least 17.5 per cent of there wages are being paid into the tax pot for the likes of Polish, Hungarians, Latvians and so on - to help themselves too because 'they can't find work'.
Britain is simply not big enough for yet another flux of migrants, nor do we have enough money to be feeding and housing half of Europe.
No name supplied
This is absolutely insane. As a Romanian and very well educated person, I am totally shocked. This is Britain.
I know your history, your civilisation, politics, scientists and almost everything. We as a Romanian family pay taxes in the UK more than £30,000 every year - with no benefits.
We gave lots of money towards paying for your education system as well. Romanian doctors have been educated in Romania by Romanians and you now take all these benefits from them.
Shame on you. As a conclusion, we will do everything we can not to promote the UK in any way. You, out of the EU in short period of time, will represent nothing in Europe and in the world.
You will become one of the poorest country in Europe working and treating people this way. You hate every nation Canadian, Australian, the Irish, the Scots, European nations, Argentinians -everything. You will become a small island, isolated and poor with lots of enemies. Good for you. Well done.
Dan - UK
As a tolerant Brit, who has sat and watch my country lose its identity - and watched as Eastern European folk flock to get benefits for kids that dont even live here - I've had enough. Sorry but we are at breaking point with our health service and I as a taxpayer do want to assit you. So please stay out.
gcw - UK
In reply to Dans comment. Funny isn't it how us Brits apparently hate everyone as you state and yet everyone wants to come and live in the UK. We can't be that bad can we?
The reason people come is because we are a friendly and very tolerant race of people. But most British are fed up with immigration full stop, nothing personal.
Dont think somehow the UK will suffer outside of the EU. For one thing, I'm sure that all the foreign lorries on our roads will not stop trading with us. England must be there biggest importers. So don't be silly.
Karen - London
So we have these former communist blocs who despised the capitalist/democratic model and wanted it destroyed, and when their Marxist system collapsed they embark upon a get-rich-quick scheme - become pseudo-social democracies and jump aboard the EU gravy train. Now these commie leeches are here taking our jobs and houses.
Lee Jones - Liverpool
All Bulgarians and Romanians and any other foreigners stay out and get out of the United Kingdom. You are not welcome by the UK citizens.
Jack Riley - London
Whoever wrote this article is an old, British person showing clear discrimination against the Romanian and Bulgarian communities. If British residents would rather sit on their lazy asses and watch television all day simply because they can receive social aid off the taxes paid by the country''s working immigrants - then that's their fault. It isn't the fault of the immigrants working for low wages and receiving no benefits.
alexandra
Valya Toneva, as an indigenous member of the English, I find your comments very arrogant. You appear to be rubbing it in with your comment: 'You should also note that your country singed a contract with Bulgaria and you must adhere to it'.
It is all well and good regarding free movement but other EU countries placed restrictions right at the point EU migrants first decided to 'move around' and so a disproportionate number came to the UK. You are not 'forced' to do these jobs you arrogantly see yourself as 'above' - as you are not forced to come here.
Do you think that English people have never worked in restaurants and farms? Many of us have including myself. While the English are very welcoming, your assumption of entitlement is perhaps what irks us.
Anglo Saxon - London
2004-2012 600.000 at 75.000.000 population. Right now Romania and Bulgaria are under 30.000.000 population so under 300.000 in next five to eight years - 1 per cent of total of BG and RO inhabitants.
Jack Ripper - east EU
Yeah, freedom of movement a and freedom of human trafficking. In addition, in the UK there're really so many immigrants who came not from EU but from other continents. Originally, I'm from Latvia but in my opinion in the UK there must be decreased immigration. Otherwise there will be a huge collapse of the British economy.
Ega - UK
I'm in n full agreement with a total ban on any further East European influx to the UK. We need to set new rules of entry here in the UK - not Brussels. If action is not taken now, then it will be too late. Who do we have to blame for this situation? Oh yes, it's Tony Blair again.
Frank - S-O-T, UK
Too many Romanians and Bulgarians sponging and scrounging in the UK. They are not welcome.
Anonymous ID
Once the locusts come in and bleed this country dry, there is only one way this country is going and that is to the third world. The Poles have come here and taken our jobs. How many more immigrants can this country take? Vote UKIP.
RSL - UK
I agree that the UK should pull out of Europe right now. This disproportionate 'invasion' needs to be stopped. What has Brussels done to level the playing field on the minimum wage, the quality of life and benefits across the EU? Nothing.
That's why Britain is suffering this wholesale abuse of mass immigration. Most of whom are targeting our social support system. If you need proof just look around you on the streets on any working day.
Kevin - Eastbourne England
I own many properties in Kent and up until a few years ago, the thought of renting to Eastern Europeans was simply unthinkable. I had been told so many bad stories of Polish, Romanian and Bulgarians being dirty lazy criminals
That, I can now say is very much not the case. I rent three flats to Poles and four houses to Slovenians and Bulgarians and they all pay their rents on time. They are clean, polite and have never claimed benefits - and put my UK tenants to shame.
KentLandlord
As a very proud Brit. I cannot believe the comments regarding the British youth. Many of my friends' children are teachers, doctors and in higher education. Most of the young people I know are studious and hard working. Don't believe all you read in the media.
In reference to Valya's comment regarding their educational standards, if you are all so well-educated in Bulgaria and Romania - why don't you use that intelligence to improve your own countries situation and stop coming here. We have enough people here now and certainly don't need anymore. Let us give our own people a chance please. A proud British woman.
Jan - Northwood, Middlesex, UK
I can't believe that most of the Romanians and Bulgarians commenting here are getting so angry over this article. Firstly, most British people don't mind a reasonable and fair number of educated and skilled Europeans working in the UK. What the UK cannot sustain is many, many people who don't work and are planning to travel to Britain to claim state benefits.
Please don't say "it won't happen", because it already has. The British Labour government predicted 16,000 Polish nationals would move to the UK - the official figure is now at 600,000 (and many reports say that realistically probably one million are now in the UK).
How many British people leave for Romania or Bulgaria? Virtually none. It's totally unfair and totally one-way too. Please understand: Britain is a small country and it's already very overcrowded. If you have not been here, you just won't appreciate how crowded it is.
Hospitals, housing and the economy just cannot cope with a new mass influx, and please believe that this is absolutely true. Many British people are extremely worried about this. Read the comments section of the Daily Mail newspaper and you'll see what many thousands of British citizens think: there is no room, no money and there very few jobs for those who cannot support themselves.
Trevor - UK
In reply to Martin MP - London, the reason we have the second highest crime rate in Europe is because of all these people coming over here with no money or jobs. They think it's ok to go out stealing and mugging decent people. They should not be allowed over here unless they have the means to support themselves.
Mary Hughes - Basildon, Essex, England
To Claudiu - Romania, we may go to live in Australia, the US and other countries too but we do not go to take money, housing and school places etc.
We go with our own money - we pay for ourselves unlike the multitude of immigrants flocking over here. The quicker we leave the EU, the better. Vote UKIP forever.
Mary Hughes - Basildon, Essex, England.
Here here Maxine of Lincolnshire. I'm no longer proud to be British. we are a doormat for all of these people.
Mary Hughes - Basildon, Essex, England
Come on, government MPs listen to your public. We cannot keep taking more and more outsiders in and spreading the peoples taxes thinner. Sooner or later (more sooner than later) this country will be worse than a third world country.
We are nearly bankrupt now because of the money you keep giving the euro. How far are you going to push the people of this country? Are we going to end up like Greece,with riots in the streets? I hope not.
Get your fingers out and see a bit of commen sense for once in your lives. Get our farmers back on the land and get the young generation producing solid products for sale on the open Commonwealth market. Get this country back to standing on its own two feet, before its too late.
Mr D J Deeley - Oldham, Lancs, UK
Alexandra, we do not sit on our fat lazy asses through choice - it's because the immigrants and illegals have nicked all the jobs.
Mary Hughes - Basildon, Essex, England
Valya Toneva in Sofia, Bulgaria. I'm so sorry you have to do demeaning jobs like house-keeping,which sounds like a fairly good job to me, but there are hundreds of British people with university degrees who can't get the job they would like and be suited to.
If its so demeaning, then maybe you should go back home to good old Bulgaria instead of getting ready to pinch our better jobs. We the British people did not sign a contract with Bulgaria. Joe public wasnt asked what we wanted.
Many British people do not want you here, we would like you to go home so we have more housing, more jobs, more school places and quicker doctor and hospital appointments. My working daughter and her son had to wait nine years before she was given her own place.
British people are pushed to the back of the queue because do-gooders want to be nice to immigrants and give them houses, which should be allocated to British people first.
These are the people and their parents, and grandparents, that have contributed taxes, working years and fought for this country. We didnt do it for you lot to come and take it from us. We don't have enough to go around. You realy should go home.
Mary Hughes - Basildon, Essex, England.
Aren't we a smug little 18 year old Bulgarian. Yes, this is our precious country, not yours.
Ccarol Hatch - Basildon, Essex, England
When will immigrants realise we dont have the resources for them to live here? I dont hate them, I just dont want more of them coming here. Many harp on about how great thier country is so why come here. Dave Brian said there are plenty of employment opportunites in Romania, which there arnt here. A good enough reason not to come here.
Casey - Laindon, Essex
Oh dear Alexandra, you've got it so so wrong about us sitting on our big fat lazy asses. Who the hell do you think did all these menial jobs before all and sundry decided to pay us an extra extended visit?
Who do you think is going to pay your job seekers when your job ends or you get fired? I dont think the little bit of tax you may have paid and insurance stamp is going to pay for how much you are going to cost the British people. Get of your high horse and go home.
Casey - Laindon, Essex
Ridiculous article made of thin air. Read the numbers please. It is convenient for the UK politicians to brainwash the masses. There are currently 46,000 Bulgarians in UK, from which almost 5,000 are students in universities.
How exactly these 46,000 will become four million is a mistery and is left to the imagination on the UK politicians. It is insulting for all Bulgarians to read such lies on a daily basis in British newspapers.
It is insulting how nobody bothers to check the numbers and see if they are true and how all the newspapers keep the course to mass dillusion and ignorance. We Bulgarians have never done anything wrong to England hence the spite you all have is strange and irrational (and again insulting)
For the record, Bulgaria is a small country with 12 per cent unemployment of 390,000, 6 per cent unemployment is good and healthy for an economy in order for it to be prosperous and to have a competitive labour market.
This leaves us with 190,000 Bulgarians who will have any difficulty in getting a job. If out of those 190,000, 10 per cent decide to move abroad and seek employment (even though it is a costly and difficult thing to do) this is 19,000 people (not 4 million) and those people will have choice of Germany, France, Austria, Netherlands, Italy and so on.
So UK is safe and shouldn't worry too much, especially when there is nothing to worry about. This is all a product of the minds of politicians with sick ambitions, who musn't and can't use Bulgaria as a tool in their cheap political campaigns. It is again totally uncalled for, insulting and irrational.
If you are so afraid of Europeans that much you shouldn't be in European Union in the first place and maybe move your precious island somewhere closer to Africa or Asia to prevent Europeans from interfereing with your cosy lifestyle. Best regards and good luck.
Georgi - London
Georgi-london. I dont want to be in the EU, neither do thousands of other British people but we didnt get an option. Nobody asked us and our precious island is getting less and less our island , it's everybody elses.
Mary - Basildon, Essex
When immigrants receive criticism from the British it is not directed at any individual! It is directed at the masses. The reason that people immigrate to the UK is because there is high unemployment in their own country.
They say that they are hard working/have a university degree etc. Ok. The reason the masses get criticised is because there is high unemployment in the UK. The UK also has huge numbers of British born people who also have a university degree and who also have an in depth understanding of the British society.
The British people have worked very hard, very long hours paying very high taxes so that they have earned the right to protection at times of unemployment and have earned the right to the benefits of a health scheme. What right have outsiders got to take that away from the British?
What right have they to take away the few jobs that are available? What happens to the annual influx of British school/college leavers to the employment numbers? They have a right to work in their own country.
If these people are so hard working, so exceptionally bright - why have they abandoned their own country, why have they not remained to help their own country's economy?
J. Wilson - Merseyside, UK
Dear Georgi, thank you for your statistics, trying to reasure us British that we shouldn't worry about how many of you lot (Romanians) want to move to our country. I can't quite understand why you should be dictating to US. as to who we want to live among us.
How would your country cope if 1,000,000 Brtish turned up on you shores, taking jobs houses etc. For the record, most British people dont want to be part of Europe for the very reason of the huge influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe.
How can any country such as Poland or Romania prosper when all their young people come to England? Our government should learn from the Polish influx and stop any more people coming here. Let's hope you all migrate to Germany, France Austria or the Netherlands. We are full to capacity. There's no more room at the inn.
Save our Country - South East London
Mary blame us Europeans for that, it's easier. One day when you wake up and realise that your island has become a part of Africa and Asia you will be praying for god to send you some Europeans to populate your country.
Bulgaria is a small country that hasn't ever been and never will be a threat to UK. With your ugly newspaper articles describing us as pests you are only making people wonder what is wrong with you and where this hate comes from.
Irrational fear and insecurity. The fact that you are so worried about me means I am already better than you.
P.S.: good luck with your "Commonwealth" and I wish you a long and happy life together. Call us Europeans in a century (assuming there will be any of you left).
Georgi - Georgi
To Save our Country - South East London. Several points I we need to cover:
1) I am not Romanian, but Bulgarian (similar to if I call you Irish or Australian - it's not the same).
2) 1,000,000, 4,000,000 Bulgarians or whatever new ridiculous figure you make of thin air again are not coming to UK, never came and never will come. However 700,000 to1,000,000 Brits are immigrants in Spain at the moment as we speak, so maybe Europe should be worried about you, not the other way around. Funny how sometimes it suits you to be part of EU and how sometimes it doesn't suit you to be Europeans
3) You have given you up your right to choose who can travel/visit/live in UK when you became part of EU. Me or any other European doesn't need or want your permission to be here. Your opinion is a different matter and you are entirely etitled to one.
Many Brits do live in Bulgaria and I assume they are more enlightened than you on the matter.
If you can learn my language, you are more than welcome to come to Bulgaria (1,000,000 of you or as many of you desire) and try your luck.
For the record, even though Bulgaria is not a rich country, it has a lower unemployment rate than UK (maybe it's because we don't blame others for it).
Spain is suffering almost 30 per cent unemployment at the moment and they have 700,000 to 1,000,000 British imigrants there. I don't see them horning in their Spanish newspapers that British immigrants there are the very reason for the higher unemployment rate.
Georgi - London
Says Vihar Georgiev. LOL.
Alex - Poole
I think you lot are ether blinded by the left wing, one track minded, liberalist Nazism (yeah the other far side of right-wing) and the rest of you are just being defensive of your national pride. The fact remains that the UK is where everyone want to go because we are a soft touch on the underdog, a soft touch on crime, have an easy language to learn, have the best and most generous benefits system in Europe and provide free healthcare.
So regardless of what you think is racist,unfair or whatever - the fact still remains that the UK doesn't have the capability to accommodate such strains on its services at this time. It is the same principle as jumping in after a man who is drowning. I dont think immigration is a bad thing, just as long as its within our capacity.
Kyle - Bridgwater
thats right kyle of bridgwater, but your just talking to a brick wall, it dosnt seem to sink in. these people dont give a toss about the strain theyre putting on this country as long as they get over here. Georgi, you have lower unemployment because there are less people living there. do you get unemployment benefit etc when you lose your job in bulgaria?
mary - laindon, essex
Georgi, London.
1)Firstly let me apolgise for thinking that you were Romanian. Why should it bother you, after all these comments are about British people feeling that our country has suffered too much immigration, not about picking on one race in particular. This debate in question is about Romanians and Bulgarians having free movement and access to British jobs, housing etc from 1st January 2014. I would have been honoured if you had thought I was Irish or Australian. What are you saying here? Why are you turning this into something racist??
2) I did not say that 1,000,000 Bulgarians would come here, I was stating that 1,000,000 Eastern Europeans had already descended on us which has changed some of our towns across the country forever! This is why British citizens are so concerned as to the impact of another wave of Eastern Europeans. Our Politicians should impose restrictions because we do not have the room to cope with any more people. It's as simple as that. Nothing personal!
3)For the record the British people didn't sign up to Europe to be dictated to and run by Brussels and to be told who can live in our Country. It was the Common Market which dealt with trading within Europe. Ask any Brit on the street if you want clarification of that point!
4) This is a tricky one. Now I dont believe that most English people only speak English because they are lazy, I think it's because it happens to be the mother tongue, spoken throughout the world. So the only point of learning to speak your language is if I were going to live there. Unfortunately I dont think I will be looking for work in Bulgaria.
5) Up until recently Spain was the most popular holiday destination for the British. Boosting their tourist trade immensely. The 1,000,000 British that you say are living in spain are mostly pensioners who have bought spanish properties that the Spanish built to sell to the Brits. These pensioners spend their savings and pensions in Spain, boosting their economy. They dont take the jobs, they wouldn't have chidren taking school places and most Brits come back to the UK for hospital treatment.
Just wondered, if you hold such an allegiance to your home Country, why do you live in London?
Save Our Country - South East London
to "Save our Country":
It does bother me when you call me Romanian since I am not Romanian but Bulgarian. I am glad you would be happy to be called Irish or Australian but this is not my concern and I not even remotely interested in your background. Examle given is a comparison of you are calling Bulgarian a Romanian is same if someone calls a Brit an Australian instead (with the slight difference that you and Australians at least share a language, while Romanians and Bulgarians don't even speak the same language). If the comparison above is too heavy on your brain to assimilate then don't try to, heavy excercise can damage it permanently. On the subject about your suggestion that someone might think British are lazy to learn other languages - this is your assumption and you are free to assume that. You asked me what will happen if 1 000 000 brits come to Bulgaria to live and I said to you: Let them first learn Bulgarian language and then you are more than welcome to come, many Brits already live in Bulgaria and are more capable to speak on the subject than yourself.
On the question: why do I love my country and live abroad? Because I want to and choose to :) Just because I live abroad doesn't mean I have to put up with people insulting my country and people from my country
Georgi - London
Hi Georgi,
I think all my points I have to say were made clear in my previous comment to you, unlike your somewhat jumbled reply. I am sure you have made a better life for yourself in England. Unfortunately I dont think this would be the case for most British people moving to Bulgaria or Romania where the average hourly rate is @£1.00 (please dont get all statistical over this amount, its a rough guess on my part).
It is the fault off our politicians as to what has happened in this country, we are a soft touch and give away too much to foreigners.
As an intelligent individual, it is such a shame that you didn't put your skills to use in your own Country of which you are so passionate about. I bid you good day!!
Save Our Country - South East London.
It's like being afraid that people from Arizona will be looking for job in California. Yes, there are economical differences between these two states but why this is not a problem for residents of California? Just tell me why they can handle crime, environmental and social problems over there and we cannot do the same here?
Very Successful Polish Londoner - London
I am sick of all these people coming into our country. The goverment should close the borders for at least five years, until we can sort our own country out. We have no jobs for the British people. There is no work in this country so why are these people coming here?
They are putting too much pressure on all our services. I don't feel as though I live in Britain any more, this country was once called Great Britain but its not great any more.
Anonymous
If this fair country had a call to arms to defend our shores, would the recent arrivals be willing to put their life on the line alongside the Indigenous (British-Born) forces to protect this country.
Peter - Aberdeen
Very successful Polish Londoner? Sorry, don't agree with your comment. Free movement in Europe is one way. Out of the poorer Eastern Countries to the richer western countries. Of what benefit is this when there's no room in the UK what will happen?
Karen - London
I am going to vote UKIP next time, I think we have enough Big Issue sellers. But let's face it, our local Big Issue seller although he has the magazine, he actually begs not sells magazines.
I promptly tell him to get a job, my poor husband who is 64 with emphesmia and asthma has to work 12-hour shifts and he expects me to give him money.
Wendy - Haslemere
I am sure that no British person minds good, honest hard working people. But what annoys us are the thousands of dishonest, lazy, scroungers that come to the UK with one intention of working - taking money and services that have taken generations of toil, money, sweat and tears of the British nation to build up to what it is today.
Why should we accept people into the country that intend to rob us and our children of that? We owe no-one anything and need to protect and preserve what is already here for the benefit of our children. If you want to come to UK to work and contribute to the system - i.e. pay tax and national insurance - in the correct way, live in peace in a way that respects the UK and its people, learn to speak and understand English properly; then I am sure that you will be accepted without reservation.
Without that, you will all be despised and all treated with total contempt. That's the way it is. My suggestion for would-be immigrants would be that they should be able to show at entry that they have sufficient funds (currently about £10K) deposited in a UK bank in their name, plus private health insurance for a minimum of one year covering all of their health needs.
And until they have paid full NI contributions for one year, no public services whatsoever are made available to them or their families. That includes any children not yet born. If they are unable to obtain gainfull employment and the money runs out, then save enough to get them back to where they came from.
This is the way some other European countries deal with the problem. Try, for example, getting any state services in Portugal if you dont have a job and have not contributed to the social system. You will get nothing at all. They certainly will make no attempt to help you or talk to you in your own language. The UK must take a leaf from these other European countries and how they frustrate the crazy EU rules, and fast.
Delboy - UK
This is discrimination towards Romanians and Bulgarians, and this should stop now people. I think we should stand up for this situation and stop. Romania and Bulgaria should stand up for themselves. Criminality in the UK started a long time ago.
Anonymos
I do not think that this letting in of foreigners should carry on. Foreigners are coming over to England, taking our benefits because they most probably dont have them in their own country, over-populating the country and committing most of our crime.
The streets are not safe anymore and the letting in of immigrants is not helping. Also foreigners, in some cases, are coming before the English. Maybe because they have more children but it's our country.
If someone walked into this country, they wouldnt be able to tell it was our country. It seems as if the goverment doesnt care anymore. If all this carries on, all the prisons will be full up and their will be no more places for prisoners to go. The goverment will not listen.
Do not wish to state. - England
Every country has always had some sort of crime. Our crime has risen sky high due to foreigners bringing their gun and gang culture with them. The more that come over, the worse it gets.
Any foreigners commiting a crime should be sent home instantly, that will keep our prison population down. Bring back hanging and prisons would be almost empty.
Casey - Laindon, Essex
Please UKIP, win the next election. I hate the way this country is going. We never voted for it. Every country thinks of us as a honey pot and they think they are entitled to invade us - look at all the posts.
Our government put every other nation before this one and we've got to replace all of them with a patriotic government. Yes, I know, patriotism is now a dirty word. How did we sink this low?
Peter Jack - Helston
Vote UKIP, future immigration problem solved.
Casey - Laindon, Essex
The arrogance displayed by Europeans is what's so deafening. The official figures suggest crime is rising because of the influx of criminal gangs from e Europe. So why not just acknowledge that fact rather than shrug off responsibility?
Despite the agreement, that the British government has with the EU, people should be aware that the UK has retained the power via an emergency agreement to stop all movement of people to our shores - if we so choose.
So ranting on about your legal rights of free movement is on thin ice. I know several Romanians, who I personaly like a lot. They are the first to accept that the UK problem lies in allowing the 'wrong people' into the UK.
That we aren't distinguishing the good from the bad. You need to understand that there might be just cause from the British to resent this wave of mass immigration.
We have a chronic shortage of housing in the UK which is causing a rise in rents. Our education and health facilities are straining under the burden of the extra capacity. Which few of you have ever contributed to. We have youth unemployment at 17 per cent.
Why should the British have to compromise on pay and workers rights when it took us hundreds of years to achieve them through our labour movements. Let's face it, your own countries are basicaly failed states so why do you expect the UK population to embrace your arrival here.
Politicians from the main parties decided a long time ago to ignore the concerns and wishes of the British man and woman so because of that I will vote UKIP at the next election.
Andrew - London
Georgi - London. Let's get something straight, Spain is suffering a housing collapse. So there is no way the Spanish can kick out half a million Brits who have contributed considerably to the Spanish economy. Dump half a million properties onto the Spanish recession and austerity will remain there for 100 years.
To compare the British migrant living in Spain to the Eastern Europeans in the UK is a ridiculous comparison. One contributes the other takes.
Andrew - London
Dan - UK. Yes, we are a small island and yes we are getting poorer. Got any clues as to why? Immigration maybe? And yes, I do hope we are out of the EU in a very short time, then when UKIP get in they can send a lot of people back home; and start putting British people first again.
Why do you think we need so many doctors etc? Could it be because of the hoards of immigrants over here?
Casey - laindon, Essex
To all you immigrants out there - whatever country you're from no matter how educated you say you are, it doesn't matter to us. We don't have the jobs for you. We don't have the houses for you We don't have the school places for you.
We don't have the hospital beds for you. We don't have the money to give you when you lose your job. We could probably find you a cheap ticket back home though. More and more people will hate you for what you are taking from the British people. You know all these things, yet you still come here. So be it on your head.
Carol Hatch - laindon, Essex
I agree with Andrew. Having voted Tory for the last 32 years, I shall be voting UKIP at the next election if they fail to address this free movement within Europe. Stand up for yourself England, don't be bullied into a head-on train crash. Do what is right for our country.
Save Our Country - South East London
Dear English "British" citizens, don't be so afraid of us. We don't bite very hard. You are already on the bottom, 20 years time and you will wipe out your identity.
Take a look around you, it is so exotic. All refugees all over the world are here, You have got many issues to solve and you are afraid of Europe? Better not only leave EU but also change your geographic location. Good luck with solving your social problems.
Boris - Vienna
Dearest Boris from Vienna, or are you living in our lovely country too? Your comment is somewhat contradictory, in one breath you say England is full of refugees and asylum seekers (believe me don't we know it) and that we have social problems.
Let me just say when we have let in so many foreigners with different cultures - what do you expect? But then you condemn us for complaining about immigration in our country. This is the very reason we are in this situation because every time an English person speaks up about immigration we are told we are racist.
But on a more positive note, when this country is ruined (as you say) for our future generations, all the foreigners will return to their 'home' countries, still green and lush and not concreted over like ours.
It is comforting to read these comments and see that a lot of English people feel as I do, that our country has been overtaken. So can I suggest Boris that you but out of this unless you have something constuctive to say.
Doris - Our country
Boris, we aren't afraid of you lot, we just dont like the criminal culture some of your people arebringing over. There's a diference between being afraid and not liking something. We know how to solve our problems, we leave the EU.
Casey - laindon, Essex
Dear Doris and Casey, first of all I am a student in the UK. I currently live here and support your economy, so please don't talk to me with your arrogant English attitude.
Boris - Vienna
Well then Boris, if you are only a student in 'our' country then I dont think you have a voice or the right to disrespect your host nation. Why did you choose such an awful country (as you say) to study in?
Probably, because we offer the best opportunities - thats why most people come here. So get back to your studies and stop wasting your time on things that you quite clearly know nothing about. Good day Boris.
Doris - Save our lovely country
By the way Boris, these comments are regarding 'mass Immigration from Romania And Bulgaria on January 1, 2014'. Not students. As you have experienced first hand, the social problems that already exsist in England due to our open borders policy is high, so can you blame the indigenous population for having concerns about another influx of Eastern Europeans? So be sensible about this.
Would it not have been a nicer experience for you to perhaps further your studies in either Romania or Bulgaria, as I believe they have 'no social problems' (I think not) and the cost of living is a lot less than in the UK?
Also after 01/01/2014 it will be a lot less populated. Something for you to think on. Also I do not have an 'English attitude', I'm just defending my country. Thank you.
Doris - Save our lovely country
Wake up. We are full - go to your local hospitals, go to your local schools and go to your local housing associations. There is no room at the inn.
Trisha - Dorset, UK
Doris, my beautiful country that also has beautiful people has existed 1,300 years - we have survived things worse than UK's "special treatment". As for immigrants it is funny for you to mention since both Australia and North America had been populated with immigrants from Britain in the first place.
And to add that little of the Native American population is left thanks to your ancestor's "interference" (meaning mass murder and stealing their land).
Save our planet from stupid people - Neverland
Dear Carol Hatch, there are plenty of houses available on the market and plenty of places in your universities. The landlords are more that happy to take the immigrants' money and the universities to collect their tuition fees and taxes.
Nobody is taking anything from you, you can thank for that the woman with 11 kids and a horse (I think that at least 15 tax-payers are working to make sure her horse is well-looked after). "Hate" is a strong word, "helpless" is another strong word that is more appropriate for you.
Peter Pan - Neverland
Everyone from the UK talks about East European countries, which is a small amount of immigration compared to other continents - especialy Asia and Africa who comes here to study and in the end they bring the whole family to the UK.
Who took part in the London riots? Eastern Europeans?
Why do you blaime one part of the world ,when actualy all over of this dirty world there are bad and good people? My opinion if someone wants to go in another country, first is to give them a job to prove they are good workers. Second to not be allowed to send their earnings back to their countries and to pay equal like any other British citizen in the UK.
But also to be paid equal like any other British person. If i was an MP, I would say: "You want to come in our country? OK ,fine all you earn you spend in our country and you pay just as we pay."
If they did that, all the earnings would stay in the UK. The reason why most countries are in recesion is because there is no manufacturing.
Anonymos
To all you Peter Pans and anoymous gutless wonders out there. We The English Race of people cannot be held responsible for our ancestors past or behaviour. England should not be beholdent to every country around the globe because of our 'powerful empire' of yesteryear.
We have a huge immigration problem in our country but because of so called political correctness we are unable, it seems to do anything about it.
Unfortunately, whether you like it or not foreigners bring a lot of crime to the UK. I am fully aware that the London Rioters were not made up of Eastern Europeans but were made up of every other denominations from around the globe. But let's get back to what this forum is about, as you all seem to be losing the plot.
Its's about mass immigration on January1, 2014, from Romania And Bulgaria so lets concentrate on that issue than trying to condemn English people. After all, it is our country that our forefathers fought for.
All may be lost at the moment but the English people will rise up and clamp down on this crazy immigration because when the English (as Boris states) die out, this country will be nothing and no one will want to come here. So stop taking this forum personally and let us stand up for our country and our children - and grandchildrens' future.
My wish is that we pull ot of the EU so that we as a country can deport people from our land that have commited crimes against us. We can make our own decisions as we have done for hundreds of years. Do I think we will suffer out of Europe? No, I don't.
Do I think Europe will suffer if England pulls out of Europe? Yes, I do. Let's keep this forum to what its about, we are not a dumping ground for anyone who thinks they have a right to live here.
Doris - Save our lovely country
You realy do live in never neverland dont you Mr Pan. If the woman with 11 kids and a horse is British, her or her parents have more than likely contributed to this country for years unlike if it was an immigrant.
Yes, there are plenty of houses on the market due to the housing slump but I'm talking about council housing that hundreds of Brits are waiting for but aren't offered because they put you lot first.
As for universites, I said schools which are overcrowded again due to immigration. The ones that are helpless here are British people that can't do nothing but sit back and see this country going down the pan - due to immigration and being stuck in the EU.
Carol Hatch - Basildon
Peter Pan, I personally do not favour people who languish on the welfare state, especially single mothers who irresponsibly have children without the means to pay for them.
However if this lady is British, which I believe she is, then she is the responsibility of our country - whether right or wrong. What is not the responsibility of our country is all the foreign people - African, Asian, Somalian, Eastern European, where do I stop, that dump themselves on us.
They are given large London houses and hotels to live in at great cost to our country. How so wrong of you to think that just because we support our own people, however we see fit that we should support any economic migrant who gets here. Shame on you.
Doris - Save our lovely country
I am sticking up for the UK people against any non-working scroungers from coming here. Get real we do not want people from any country in the UK that have not done a full-time proper job for at least five years before they can get any benefits at all. And they should never be able to hold a UK passport.
Telboyo - UK
I'm so afraid for the future of England. This country has been ruined by too many scrounging immigrants being brought into this country, and being given a better life than our own British-born people.
This country now makes me sick, there will be are more immigrants than British soon. I own my own house, have worked hard all my life and once looked forward to the future in England with my husband and daughter.
I think only well-educated English speaking people with money should be allowed into England. How many immigrants can we fit in? This country is not big enough for you all. No wonder UK residents are being forced out of their homes, this is to make room for you all.
You get the best of everything, a fully-furnished place, benefits and you don't have to worry about keeping warm, unlike our pensioners. We are all afraid to speak out as it's not political correct. Our government created this mess and you will continue to lap it up. We are in recession and you are still being let in and you take, take take. Bring money to our country and stop taking it out.
Our government should take a leaf out of Julia Gillard's book. Most Australians believe in god. This is not some Christian, right-wing, political push but a fact because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation.
And this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If god offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home because god is part of our culture.
We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why, all we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.' This is our country, our land and our lifestyle. And we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this.
But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our Christian beliefs, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom - the right to leave.
Caitlin Thornton - England
To put it simply for all those that believe we should all bend over backwards for other cultures - how would you feel if someone came into your home and started to demand that you change your lifestyle, the way you do things in your own home because of what they believe?
I am talking about a guest that chose to come to your established home; yes, you want to be gracious but after a while that guest keeps demanding that more and more things are done their way and throws a tantrum when you try to do things your way. Is not that guest rude? Are they not respecting your home and your lifestyle? Where is the compromise on their part?
Caitlin Thornton - England
Bulgarians and Romanians can earn five times as much in UK, right. What about if UK nationals come to work in Bulgaria and Romania. How much they can earn? Our economy is poor and for that we have to be accused and forbidden to take a chance and work in UK or any other country.
Thus, we do have the same rights as UK and others countries have. Is this what is called an equal opportunities or these don't apply to Bulgarians and Romanians?
D.Tzanova - Sofia, Bulgaria
D Tzanova,Sofia, Bulgaria. I am not quite sure as to why any British person would benefit from working in Bulgaria or Romania, assuming they would earn five times less than in the UK.
Sorry I do not agree with your comment that you have a right to work within the UK, unless you have a skill that no one in Britain has. Hopefully our government will see sense before January 1, 2014.
Doris - Save Our Country
Nope, out of Europe altogether. Tear up that stupid treaty. Britain is full, doesn't matter who comes here. Its an utter disgrace and I hate Labour for what it has done to my once beautiful country.
If this madness carries on, its obvious that the UK will collapse. We will become a third world country soon.
The once Great Britain is no longer great any more. Do our politicians care? No, because nothing affects them directly and they don't have to deal with the consequences.
John Smith - London
If and when the floodgate opens, England will be finished for good. Instead of looking after our own house problems, it seems that David Cameron and lets not forget the coalition government have finally handed over the country to the rest of the world to use as a free ride. So what can we do? Nothing, it's to late. If the EU says jump, we say how high.
John Brett - Herts, GB
What on earth has happened to us as a country? We can all see what is happening to us. We are sleepwalking to somewhere nasty. We are immporting untold problems into this country.
People who don't know how to live in a greedy old capitalist country like ours. They just see us as a soft touch, politically as well as socially.
The poverty and crime in their countries is rife, look at our courts - they are full of crimes and people from elsewhere.
In many cases, crimes that were not known of here. Let's talk about the worries and genuine fears of the ordinary people of our poor old country.
Graham Poole - South Woodham Ferrers, Essex
The point is that immigrants from all countries to Britain do not on the whole integrate and live in their own subcultures in areas where Britons have made their home for many years. Slowly, the area changes with unfamiliar languages spoken, different values sensed, small culture clashes and a sense that their home town is being taken over.
They either stay, feeling increasingly isolated or leave to find a place to live that feels more like home.
Nobody really asked British citizens if this is what they want, it has been forced on us and any complaint is met with accusations of racism; a silencing tactic so the political elite can get their way. It would be interesting to find out how many of the pro-Europe/immigration citizens live in so called diverse cultures. I don't know but I'd like to find out.
From the above and other comments, it seems like Spain feels the same about immigration from Britain. I'm sorry the Spanish culture is also at risk of being diluted and destroyed because of the EU bigotted view that it must work, it seems at any cost.
LittleM - Yorkshire
In a National newspaper today "The school where not one pupil has English as a first language" This is an English School In Peterborough, England. What a sad inditement of our 'open borders policy'. Where will this end? Another reason to stop mass immigration from Romania and Bulgaria.
Doris - Save Our Lovely Country
My dear British friends, I have to admit that during the last months I closely witnessed this huge wave of hate against the Romanians and Bulgarians. But it made me sad, because I used to know you as a tolerant people, with a judgement based on logic not on stereotypes.
I reckon that I had the intention to start a new life in UK. My intention was not based on economic reasons. I was looking to be surrounded by the British spirit and that is why my intention was to live in a small, remote rural or semirural community with no immigrants or as few as possible. Anyway, in my case, your goal was reached, I gave up. I chose another English speaking country.
You see, when you were born, nobody asked you 'what parents do you want?'. The same goes for the country. One cannot change the parents but when it comes to the country it is something else. For you it's easy, you had the luck to be born in the best country.
Now it's easy to despise the Eastern Europeans as a whole but you have no idea how is to be thrown for almost 50 years in the arms of the Russians, with all the values of the country murdered - deprived of everything, put in jails or deported.
We still need some more generations to heal and become a normal society. Still, I don't think that we are inferior to other nations well accepted by British society.
You are afraid now that you will be invaded by hordes of Romanians and Bulgarians, like in 2004. It is a false theory promoted by politicians in search of more votes. I will give you some figures taken from British institution's statistics.
First of all, in 2004 there were only three countries (the UK, Ireland and Sweden) that had no working restrictions for people from the 10 newcomers to EU. The total population of the 10 countries, was 67.3 millions in 2004.
In 2014, none of the EU countries will have restrictions on labour market and the population of Romania and Bulgaria is around 29 million. I will let you to do the math, not to mention that those who wanted to leave their country are working and living by now in Italy, Spain, France and Germany (at least 90 per cent of them).
But, let's presume that all who want to leave Romania and Bulgaria will head to UK. Instead of so much hate backed by politicians, there are so many ways to sort out the problems in more of a gentleman's approach.
I do not fancy giving you advice but you can try instead some of the following or all: no benefits whatsoever (kids, unemployment, pension) unless one have worked and paid taxes for at least five years; no acceptance of using other language than English in public institutions, including schools; no health services for those who are not paying taxes and the examples can go on.
In this way the society can eliminate the parasites and the economy will grow through the taxes paid by legal business and workers. Not to mention the image.
I am sure that after 2014, when all these fears will fade away, you will change your mind. And if there will be some thousands that will chose to head to UK, they will be the serious, decent, hard working families; the scum have been there already, making us ashamed by their behaviour.
Calin - Livezeni, Romania
The People of Romania and Bulgaria could learn from the British. After all, look at the great achievements of the code breakers and computer programmers/mathematicians like Alan Turing and W. T. Tutte.
TDC - Somerset, UK
Dear Calin - Livezeni, Romania. Thank you for taking the time to add your very lengthy comment to this forum. Can I again point out to you that these comments made by English people are not personal to Romanians and Bulgarians.
Our lovely country has turned into a foreign land since our previous prime minister Tony Blair deliberately set out to transform our country forever. We have people from every corner of the globe wanting to settle her for a better way of life.
As I pointed out in my previous comment, we have whole schools where English is not the first language of any child. I am sorry that you feel like you do, but it is not the fault of the English people for all the worlds problems.
We are concerned for our country and have the right to feel this way. We are a small Island we simply cannot continue taking everyone who wants a better way of life, where does it end. Our covernment should stop any further immigration and withdraw from Europe immediately.
Our country has changed forever and we need time to deal with the damage already done. When we withdraw from Europe it makes sense to return all economic migrants from the rest of Europe back to their country of origin.
Again, I am sorry you feel dissapointed about the comments you have read on this forum but I believe our government gives out the wrong signals to foreign people. Most English people despise all the immigrants that have come and taken our houses and jobs.
I wish you well in the English speaking country you have chosen to have a better way of life. Nothing personal but foreigners need to know the true feelings of the majority of the English. Good luck.
Doris - Save Our Lovely Country
Calin-Livezeni, Romania - the false theory that politicians talk about would not make us vote for them, it would do exactly the oposite.the things you said. We should try. We would love to but the people running this country does not listen to what people want.
But even if they applied some of your suggestions, immigrants are still taking our jobs aand housing etc. It won't change the fact that we don't want any more immigration, there's no more room here.
Mary - Basildon
I'm from Britain, indeginous to this country, and trust me we do not want you Bulgarians in our country. I speak for the majority, not the minority. We especially dislike the thought of Bulgarians and Romanians coming here because some of you have a bad reputation for criminality. Stay out of Britain. The British don't even have jobs for themselves and now you come here and steal them.
No name given
Yes, I think it is the failure of British law and not the people coming here at fault. However, if the system is not able to cope then do we have anything else to replace it with? It's ok to go on the moral high ground and say people are insulting but if the country is failing, you might well have enough money to move somewhere better but I dont.
And the UK is an island, I dont have anywhere to move to after it becomes too expensive to police an increasing population.
Like in Scotland, where the English move in and they all end up in one big housing estate where it's cheaper to live. I think that its not about race, but numbers.
James Tailor - Hull, England
Interesting to take a closer a look at UKIP's anti-immigration policies - as they are in favour of even more labour market deregulation than the Tories. How would more competition in the semi and unskilled jobs sector be less attractive to Romanians and Bulgarians?
Ah yes, but they are in favour of closing the doors to further foreigners so its simple. As we are not the Azores and I assume UKIP are not introducing GDR type walls and barriers around our coastlines (or even the porous Rio Grande) how will they stop people coming here for a holiday and just staying?
Especially, as they are against 'red tape' bureaucrats inspecting small businesses. Even their Swiss and Norwegain role models are now in Schengen.
Furthermore, UKIP are in favour of the UK as a nimble global freewheeling services economy with low taxes attracting foreign investment from all over the globe. I can, therefore, assume there will be a 'redtape' army of bureaucrats handing out green cards to 'businesses' such as Bucharest Fruit Picker Services Ltd.
I also assume countries like Portugal that have traditionally had a lot of people coming to this country will no longer be too pleased with all the Brits living in their country. The question of where to put these past or future emmigrants will never arise of course.
And finally any elected politician that uses anecdotal evidence to label a neighbouring country's people as thieves targeting the elderly is a vile person, who should be stay in the gutter fringes of European politics.
Iany - London
My dear Doris, I got your point of view and it's clear that it's nothing personal. I can only agree with you in defending your wonderful country. You are right in saying that too many immigrants have diluted the British spirit.
That's why I said that if I would have the opportunity, I would chose a remote rural area with no immigrants (I know a gorgeous area in Somerset which is like this). Last year I stayed there for almost a month, meeting a lot of people, all natural British born.
Although I made very clear my intention to settle there, everybody welcomed me and encouraged me to go on. That's why I said that I am sad, but it's more surprise than sadness.
And Doris, I don't want to be disrespectful but I am not looking for welfare or a better life, economically speaking. I have here a property which in England is close to £1m in value, I have friends, family, you name it. But spiritually, all my benchmarks are linked with the British society.
I was raised in the full respect of the law, that why I waited for 2014. But now I get your point, I understand your concerns and as I said in the last post, I respect your people to much to contribute even more to this dilution. I just hope you will sort out somehow this problem and will preserve your nation. Good luck.
Calin - Livezeni, Romania
My dear Mary-Basildon. Everything can be solved through the law, if there is the political will. And if an immigrant breaks the law, the next second he/she should be thrown out of the country without any trial.
There is no use spending money on such causes. All this, backed with the right publicity, will have an immediate impact. But yes, you have the right to be concerned, something has to be done.
Calin - Livezeni, Romania
I just watched 'Secrets of the pickpockets'on Channel 4. This seems a valid reason not to want more immigrants over here. no British people caught - just Romanians and Chileans.
Pickpocketing and cashpoint theft. I bet they are all getting their gangs ready for January 1 when they will all flock over here.
Mary - laindon
This government has killed Britain by allowing the EU in we should have never followed, they need to sort there own countries out and leave ours alone.
Jason - Yorkshire
He may have a point , if we do get a great influx coming into the uk then let them settle in London, dont come up north we have nowt up here, all the brass is down there.
d smith - uk
D Smith, putting all the imigrants in the South East isn't the answer here thank you. Believe me, we are full to capacity. We all need to stick together and fight this next influx of immigration or we will all suffer.
KM - London
We are struggling now as a country, people are pushed to their limits and there is only so much British people can take. How on earth can
we in Britain cope with any more influx of Romanians and Bulgarians or anyone else for that matters.
Our great country will be certain to be absolutely ruined and not worth or affordable to live in. Crime will rise. NHS slaughtered. Benefits system at breaking point. Not enought houses.Not enough jobs for Britons never mind anyone else. People will revolt and our country will never be the same again. THERE IS NO REWIND BUTTON!!!! Action needs to be taken now Teresa May. STOP SELF DESTRUCTION OF OUR COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. PLEASE.
ACT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Anne Evans - Rhyl, Wales REG
You are SO right Anne, Why is our Government not listening to us. Our Country is now a Foreign land, wherever you go, from Scotland to Landsend. We are full and at breaking point. The crime that is being committed by Eastern Europeans is unbelievable, why do we put up with it. Why do Fellow Countrymen that WE vote in to run our Country what to change it beyond recognition. Maybe they should read this forum and understand what we are saying. It's not just London it's everywhere!!!! DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!
KM - LONDON.
Anne, as no one in the house of commons has the guts to pass a vote of no confidense against the fools in power - a revolt is an excellent idea. We need lots of protest marches to get our message across to these people, then a rebellion. Nice idea but most people just sit back and take it nowadays.
Casey - Basildon
The clue is in the comment '600,000 Romanians were working'. Lots of 'Brits' can't quite get themselves together to do that.
Jackstar - LDN
Well I'm up for marching on Downing Stree In protest of Mass Immigration. Anyone else up for it??
KM - London
I suppose the same disaster was when Romanians permitted the activity of British businesses in Romania.
Boikot - Christchurch
Dear Englanders, please leave the EU Please leave our beautiful islands. Go somewhere else. I'm tired to watch you, dear Englanders not around the tables in clubs, discos and under them.
But you are drunk all the time dear Englanders, most arrogant people which I have ever saw. I don't know about Bulgarians and Romanians but in my opinion you should leave the EU.
Kloudy - Chalkida, Greece
I'm a Brit, I've payed in for 42 years. Now, I'm out of work and cannot get any help at all. Why should I and millions of other Brits pay £53m a day to the EU to subsidise countries from the former soviet bloc?
And other countries who get their infrastructure payed for by us? Stop all immigration to my country for all EU and worldwide migrants. Just stop it. We don't need or want any more. Send them all back.
David Knox - Bishops Stortford, UK
Dear lovely English (British) citizens now is the time for you to pay for anything what you have done to Bulgaria. We still remember The Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine when you and France destroyed Bulgaria by taking our lands, forced more than 600 000 Bulgarians to live outside the country and the high reparation obligations which you've got from us to support your economies.
Now is the time for you to pay, everything is a circle, take your turn. And stop accusing us in everything what you don't like, because as somebody already said in the forum, you are already on the bottom, moreover you are powerless, you are not in Europe, you are simple in Afro-Asia.
Stanislav - Sofia
To all the "Doris-es" in UK. Reading the multiple posts from you and seeing how you obviously have a lot of spare time to spend writing comments, I can only conclude that you are the one that is jobless and relying on benefits.
Hate is not a full time job, so invest your time and effort in getting yourself a real one. Two young Romanian guys were chased in Brighton by xeno-rasist individuals and those boys were chased, punched and kicked.
Police confirmed that the attack was "racially motivated". We, Bulgarians and Romanians are European citizens. There is no excuse, no patriotism or "save our country" labels that can justify such mindless and sick behaviour.
You are so pathetic you made me laugh but the truth is that pathetic people are also dangerous and this is not funny at all, so I am not laughing.
Save our planet from stupid people - Neverland
I can almost imagine Doris running with a broomstick. Please someone get her a job to keep her occupied and off the streets.
Save our planet from stupid people - Neverland
To all you Romanians and Bulgarians. My name is not Doris, I only used this as an alias on this forum to reply to my friend Boris the student. I am not unemployed thank you and have never claimed a penny in benefits of any sorts.
My great grandfather died fighting for this great country and I don't look forward to it being ruined forever. I like most British people do not want any of you in our country.
As I have said previously, stay in your own country and stop invading others just because you feel you have the right to a better way of life. We are all hoping that our government sees sense and stops you all coming here before January 1, 2014, and sends home all that are here already.
I am sorry that you all feel so bitter about the past but move on and make something of you own land. Or are you too hell bent on slagging off other people's country to bother about helping your own.
Stop bleating on about whats gone on in years gone by and don't think we as a country owe any of you anything. Sorry to hear about the two lads in Brighton but what about the crime you lot have committed here. I believe in the region of 29,000 arrested in the five years since you have all started arriving.
That equates to one in three immigrants from Romania that are here already. Proud country you must be. It's hard swallowing that bitter pill isn't it.
Doris - London, England
The attitude of many on the right towards Romanians and Bulgarians is totally disgusting and disingenuous. From the comments that I've read, there is very little substance and most simply represents a post-imperial sense of superiority; average unaccomplished individuals who need to feel superior to others based on some primitive barnyard ethnic collectivism.
Immigrants are an economic resource, they are a factor of production and, as long as they work, the host country benefits. Britain's welfare system is broken, but it is ridiculous to use this argument as a means of denying millions of individuals their European rights. Similarly, Eastern European criminals in the UK should be dealt with by law enforcement - for that is their job.
What does not cut the mustard is the attitude of some Brits, whereby because there are Romanian criminals in the UK - Romanians need to somehow have their rights taken away from them. People exist as individuals and this sort of collective punishment betrays a thuggish and brutal attitude has no place in modern Europe.
If the UK has problems with welfare abuse and law enforcement, then please get your house in order before preaching mass hatred and bigotry. You don't have the right to to deprive others of their natural rights.
Free Thought - London
A special message to the person who lives in Neverland or is that La La Land. What part of "we dont want or need anymore freeloaders in our country" do you not understand. Most British people dont want to be part of Europe either.
So stop getting personal and find somewhere else to go and live if you are fed up with your own country. Funny we can't be that pathetic or you all wouldn't want to come and live among us. But then again it's not because you like us or our country its for what you can take from us. Swallow that very bitter pill.
Doris - London, England
Doris-your comments sound desperate. Don't you worry, those who wanted to come to your lovely country already have done it. Don't think that there will be mass immigration, not from Bulgaria and Romania.
Boris - Vienna
Doris. Your antics are bordering on hate speech and bigotry of the worst kind. You have no merit in the fact that you are Bitish - you were simply lucky enough to be born in a country that is (still) better than most.
However, you seem to think you are priviledged and entitled to some sort of protection from the dynamism of the free market. You arguments are no better than those of a company demanding protections from free trade. We live in a world of global competition where the west can no longer afford to pay their workers artificially high wages because of institutional developmental advantages.
If you want higher wages and a beter standard of living be prepared to work for it, you are not entitled to privilage or protection. Eastern Europeans are entitled to the same rights as you and they have every right to compete with you on an equal footing.
You might also care to know that Eastern Europeans are among the lowest net recipients of welfare and other benefits. If anything, the EU needs more power (through direct elections) to deal with member states who wish to deprive EU nationals of their rights - don't turn Britain into the "south" by mistreating people - there is no place for that here. If you have a problem with modern Britain then perhaps you are the one who should leave.
David - London
No bitter pill to swallow Doris, I am perfectly happy and fine. Bitter is what you are. I understood every part of you saying you don't want us and fortunately we couldn't care less what a sad person like you wants.
Same applies if the sad people are more than one (many Doris-es can stay sad if they want to). Good for your grandfather and grandmother but they should have taught you better manners to start with.
I am slightly dissapointed this is not your real name but no happiness can be full. A rose will smell the same even under a different name. Good luck with the job hunting.
Peter Pan - Neverland
Free thought London, hopefully when we exit Europe we wont have to listen to claptrap preached by leftie do gooders who betray this country. I'm sorry but British/English citizens have the right to speak openly about immigration whether you like it or not.
Tony Blair inflicted this unsustainable immigration on the indigenous population of Great Britain. We dont have to justify our discontent over foreigners and the crime that they commit in our country. Can I suggest you go to Romanian or Bulgaria and help them rebuild their country, of which so many want to leave.
British people have had enough and will rise up against what has been forced upon us. We don't feel superior to any other race, this is not what this is about. We are full to capacity and have enough problem citizens of our own without taking the worlds problems.
Please answer me one question 'free thought' When can we say that there is no more room in this country, is it when we are all rubbing shoulders and there are no houses, no jobs and so on. People like you have ruined this country. So tell me, when can we say we are full and not be told we're racist?
Think about it oh wise one. By the way, I think we need to be worrying when out of the 68,000 Romanians here 28,000 have been arrested for commiting a crime. Worried we should be. Put your brain back in and then you can see the problems that are awaiting us.
Doris - London, England
Kloudy - Chalkida, Greece. Do you mean all the English tourists that come to your Islands, spend all their money in your hotels. nightclubs and resturants boosting your economy. Be careful, if you loose the English tourists your Islands will sink into the sea.
But dont worry the rest of the EU will bail you out. So be careful who you offend, little Greek person. If your feeling that charitable maybe your country can take in all the Romanians and Bulgarians, we've taken our share, thank you. The sooner we leave the EU the better, its a pointless task trying to help countries that wont help themselves. Good day to you.
Doris - London, England
Stanislav - Sofia. Just out of interest, if England is at the bottom, can we be assured that none of you will come here for a better way of life? Also if we're at the bottom then where is Bulgaria, under the sea? Dont worry it will never go full circle, but you are welcome to your opinion if it makes you feel better about yourself. Move on the past is the past, get over it.
Doris - London, England
Incredible. Romanian and Bulgarians are responsible for UK problems. Without foreigners, the UK wouldn't have workers. Why are we not talking about English people that they prefer to claim for benefits and sit home instead of working?
Why are they complaining that they don t have jobs? Did they search for any free vacancies? I believe that Romanians and Bulgarians are much more hard workers than the Enlglish, and the UK should appreciate it - and say thanks.
Andreea - Romania
Andreea - Romania, why are you all under this warped illusion that all English people are on 'benefits'. There are a small proportion of British people that languish on benefits. This does not mean we want the whole of the world coming here and taking what jobs we have.
I will explain how it works for you, shall I. Eastern Europeans come here to England, work for the minimum wage, which by the way is roughly five times more than you can earn in Romania.
You live ten to house, pay one lot of council tax, use our NHS, bring your old folk over so that they can have 70 years of catchup hospital treatment, courtesy of the British, send home child benefit which again is worth five times more in Romania.
When you have made your money here you can go back home and buy a mansion in your own country. Good that isn't it.
Stop bleating on about the British being lazy. As I have said previously, stay in your own country, we do not need you all or want you here. Good day.
Doris - London, England.
I am a Romanian veterinary nurse and have been living in the UK for the past six years. I cannot work as a vet nurse in UK because every door I knocked on was shut in my face.
I would have to go through such a long, tedious and complicated process that would most likely not end in my favour anyway. So, I chose childcare instead. I have done so for four years now and I am very appreciated and have had very good reationships with my british employers.
However, every time I tried to get "legal" and get that bloody NIN and sef employment papers done, again, more doors were shut in my face. Here I am now, not paying taxes to the UK because they won't let me.
It's absolutely stupid. My last chance is to get back in to veterinary field, which I love, once the stupid restrictions are lifted at the end of 2013. If that doesn't happen, I will continue doing my tax-less jobs in childcare until some "bloomed" minds open up to reality a bit more.
I come from a family of intellectuals , I speak three foreign languages and have passed all my A levels with good grades; oh, and I have a university college diploma in veterinary nursing and pharmacy.
I do change dirty nappies for a living though. But guess what?I love England and I intend to stay here and become a good British citizen with full legal rights. With or without people like Mr Bloom. We are all earthlings. We have the right to live happily where ever we choose.
History may have its black holes sometimes, but is generally quite a good ground for research for people like Bloom. He obviously has no idea of Romania and Bulgaria's history. Sad
No name given
The modern politicians have not got any back bone, we must come out of Europe.
Garth While - Caerphilly, South Wales
to Anonymous:
I like your story, I mean I don't like what happened to you but the way you speak about things. Clearly you have been through the usual obstacles that every Bulgarian and Romanian in UK is doomed to endeavour. And still after the "special treatment" that we get they still have the face to call us the bad guys and to ask people to be afraid of us? The law currently treats citizens from the two above European nations worse even than citizens from other continents. Not to mention the mass dillusion in the press. But no worries, history knows darker moments than this and things will get better. Hang on to 31-Dec-2013 and I wish you good luck with the Veterinary, which is clearly what you love. Animals are not racist, only people are
Peter Pan - Neverland
Peter Pan, this is the problem we have. You "couldnt care less what we want" and you dont care that your taking whatever you can from us. What sort of an attitude is that? is that really your name? Don't want to be known by your real name then, got something to hide have you?
Casey - laindon
David from London, I take it that you are British, if you are then shame on you. I will speak my mind about immigration. Is that not what living in a democracy is all about. It's people with views like yours that have got us into this overcrowded mess in the first place.
No one on this planet is entitled to what someone else has. Do I have the right to live in Buckinham Palace. No I dont. Tell me what on earth will happen to countries such as Bulgaria and Romania if all there young intelligent people come here.
If England lets in anyone who wants to come here, we will be bursting at the seams. People like you are so hell bent on being a 'do gooder' that you can't see what is right.
So, Cleverclogs David read back through this forum and see some of the derogatory things that have been said about British people. Is that ok then? How dare you suggest that I leave my own country. Go and bury your head back in the sand.
Doris - England My Country
Hello Kloudy, when I visited your country all people did all afternoon was drink the old vino. No wonder your country's so behind. Britain would love to leave the EU to get away from these European countries. We would be so much better off.
Carol Hatch - Basildon
"Save our country" spent another long day of unemployment writing comments to everyone who dared to type in her favourite post. You should start paying rent - this is how often we see you here. As David said above it is a free market so if you are scared that you are not competitive enough then improve yourself.
This is only some advice. I don't actually see it happening, your understanding is so ancient it hurts my eyes reading. Get a job, and get a one that does not involve writing or too much brain work.
Save our planet from stupid people - Neverland
Doris, darling, I'm afraid you're the one who should really feel ashamed. In your post you've managed to dehumanise an entire group of people based on arbitrary geographic classifications. People don't exist as part of groups and there is no such thing as a "Romanian" or a "British" person.
There are only sovereign individuals, all of whom are entitled to natural rights – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. You have no right to hate, mock or pour scorn upon people who only exist as a collective in the realm of your own intellect.
By the way, the UK is not yours and the jobs in the UK are not yours. You have your (private) property, you have self-ownership of your body, but that is where your property rights end. The jobs in the UK do not belong to you - we do not live in a hippie commune.
You are certainly right that you would not be able to randomly live in Buckingham Palace - precisely because it belongs to someone else. The point is that most immigrants come here to work, they create wealth and they are certainly not stealing anything from you by doing the above. Economics is not a zero sum game, immigration has overwhelmingly been good for the economy as it increases productive capacity and leads to bigger markets.
Wages are given by one's productivity and as long as your productivity is in line with what you earn you have nothing to worry about. If you have no skills or education, then of-course that is another story for your wages will be brought back into line. Either way, you have no right to ask for privilege or protection based on a false notion of entitlement.
A person's individual sovereignty exceeds the thuggish mandate of your rabble-rousing demagoguery. Living in a democracy is not about voting to take other people's rights away, that is indeed an abuse of the democratic system. End of discussion.
David - London
David of London. Are you on some form of medication or have you swallowed a text book. You are not English, I'm thinking maybe African. It's always the haves having to share with the have nots. What a load of rubbish you have just written you very misguided person.
Shall we just do away with any border controls and let anyone who wants to come here, come?. What a very stupid, misguided, idiotic attitude you have towards English people. How dare you.
Read the papers, even Germany wants to block Romanians and Bulgarians. Are they wrong as well? Whatever you like to believe, you are so very wrong dear David. British people have had enough.
Why do English people have to respect everyone else's culture to the detriment of our own? This is our country, it does not belong to anyone who choses to want a better way of life. So go and do something constuctive with your time and stop posting boring, jumbled, insulting comments. Can I suggest some form of counselling for your inferiority complex. I bid you good day David O.
Doris - England Our Country
Silly person In LA LA LAND. My only satisfaction is that when the locust have been and stripped this country dry and there is nothing left you will all go back home. Can't wait. Good Day.
DORIS - My Country
"Reason" said. "Mark, I think you should elaborate on what is happening to your "once beautiful country". Are you suggesting that Eastern European immigration to the UK has made your country less beautiful? If so, then I believe you fall in the same camp as Mr Bloom.
How would you react if a Spanish person made the same comments about British immigration there? The bottom line is that you are part of a quasi-federal Europe, along with all the benefits and problems this comes with. "
Of course immigration is making our country less beautiful. Homes are going up everywhere. Our streets are more overcrowded, as are our parks, schools, places of recreation, even national parks. Our roads are crammed with more vehicles, including lorries delivering food to our vast population.
What would I say about Spanish people complaining about retiring Brits? I would fully sympathize with them and be happy if they sent them back provided in return all the Spanish job hunters, and the Brazilians who have snuck in here by the backdoor through gaining Spanish citizenship, were to return to Spain.
However you have given a bad example in Spain, it is very much a two way exchange, while in the case of Eastern Europeans very very few Brits want to live in such countries, however beautiful and unspoiled they may be, while millions of 'them' want to invade and colonise our benighted homeland.
Ethnic British Commentator - Britain
The only question should be whether this is a good or bad thing for the British taxpayer? The answer is, it will a disaster for our services. I am not giving a viewpoint but facts.
As a doctor, the huge influx of Eastern Europeans since they were given a right to openly work here has seen my resources stretched to breaking point. The government simply cannot afford to pay for health treatments for the people who all ready live here, let alone thousands of new immigrants.
The number of patients registered at my surgery has gone up 120 per cent since 2006. My funding has barely changed so what happens next?
People are not getting seen in time and lives are now at risk. I have a moral obligation to treat anyone who needs treatment but the money just isn't there. The NHS simply cannot continue to fund treatments for people who have not paid into the service. This is not an opinion but hard numbers.
The baby boom alone from recent immigrants has the NHS on it's knees. I do not have enough mid wives to see the people here now, what happens when more come? I don't have any extra cash to pay for more staff so having more immigrants to see means less time for mothers to be and guaranteed mistakes being made.
The government seems to be hiding its head in the sand and ignoring GPs and local hospitals. It is not a case of race or creed but simple economics. An example is this. You save all your life for retirement, you have just enough to survive for you remaining days.
The person next door doesn't, nor does his relative from abroad. Yet when they all retire the government without asking makes it law for your to fund your neighbour and his relative from abroad. Two questions. Is this fair? Is this sustainable?
Derek - Leicester
My Dear Doris, you continue to insult and offend with opinions that show deep-rooted prejudice. Like any hardcore adherent of the right, your lack of knowledge and understanding leads to greater suspicion, hatred and bitterness - leading to further ill-conceived notions.
You do not understand economics, liberty or freedom and to you people are merely monolithic extensions of some social prison that underlies your extreme ethnocentrism. While my ethnic roots are none of your business and are frankly irrelevant, it is apparent to me that this is something of paramount concern to you.
You are incapable of interacting with another person without being made aware of their ethnic traits – because the mere notion of individual sovereignty is something that you are incapable of understanding.
Therefore, you have my sympathy, for you'll never be truly free. You will forever be a prisoner of your past, of your preconceptions and of your racial demons. A free society is built upon the sanctity of the individual and within this framework you will find respect for different cultures, including your own.
Regardless of what you may think you know, this debate is not about Romanian or Bulgaria or any other country. It is about the human freedom and emancipation, ideals that you seem to despise.
David - London
Reading some the comments that support this article is quite funny. I can not understand how a normal functioning mind thinks it is negative to allow work rights to a population that already has the right to cross the border.
Yet the criminals you want to keep out can walk in anyway any day they wish to. The work restrictions only affect people that want to come and work and pay taxes like any British citizen, so you want the honest ones out? You'd rather support the current situation where you're only accepting tourists and criminals rather than have actual tax payers.
You complain about the ones who want to come over and take advantage of social services and so on, well what's stopping them from going to the UK right now? Nothing. The borders are already open it's not a border issue. It's a "have people work illegally, resorting to crime or have them work like a decent tax paying EU citizen".
To drive the point all the way home: where did you see the eastern Europe criminals and beggars? If you already saw them on your streets, why do you think the work law will affect them even in the slightest? THEY ARE ALREADY IN THE UK.
Mike - Spain
Wow.. Incredible.. I'm not neither English nor Bulgarian or Romanian, but i am really concerned about this because i see so many wrong ideals. Everyone has the right to go where they want. There should not be borders. Lazy people dwell everywhere, no one can say that English people are lazy just because you know that some are on benefits. I think that UK now regrets the imperial colonization in Pakistan and everywhere else because now they see the consequences, it is about responsibility of what you've done in the past, you just can't colonize a country and do not expect that they will come in your country later. From what I saw here Romanian people, don't know if for Bulgarians is the same, have a lot of problems doing even simple things as to take the national insurance number. This is about discrimination, racism and extremism that I think will overcome democracy and some idiot politician is going to take the power. In Italy is full of Romanian people, in a little village where i lived there was this Romanian guy called Kostel and he worked for this shepherd and the only thing he would earn were onions, and he could only ate onions. Now that's wrong. I think this English behavior is unjustified because in Italy the Chinese people are taking all the jobs but we are not throwing them out, also it is full of African people. There will always be people that because their life sucks because they're too lazy to look for a job, because they do not have an education, they will take their frustrations on the foreigner. We can call it even xenophobia.
Italian - Northampton
My dear friend David, sometimes the answer is simple. You dont have to be a scientist to work things out. Just read the previous comment written by Derek from Leicester, he is a doctor and clearly sets out the problems he has with so many Eastern Europeans putting untold pressures on the NHS.
For the record can I state that I am not a bigot nor a racist. I do not feel I am more superior than any other race of people on this planet. There are probably more educated people, that have written comments here from Romania and Bulgaria and I admire anyone who can speak more than one language.
However every country needs to set limits where immigration is concerned otherewise everyone will suffer. Every country should only accept immigrants that are going to benefit the host country. Cant you see that? It's nothing about being racist.
English people cannot be held responsible for things that happened generations ago. I know you will answer my comment but can you please answer me one question. There is an estimated population in Europe of 731 million people. A lot of people. Just say all these people wanted to come to England as they have the right to. What should we do, accept them all because if we didn't we would be called rascist bigots? Answer me please dear David.
Doris - London, England
Italian living in Northampton. What a strange point of view you have. Just for the record, I am English and don't regret any of our past. The past is the past. Move on.
Doris - London, England
Mike, Spain. Unfortunately we, the British people do not get a say in what we want for our country, it's all up to the government and the hated EU which is out of touch with what joe public wants and doesn't care.
We are posting what we want for our country on this site.Don't you people keep putting it down to rascism. we want what's best for our families now and in the future and your not part of it.
The reason the Romanians and Bulgarians are getting most of the flak is because they just happen to be the next influx of people coming to our country, although their criminal element doesn't help them.
Do you get free health care, free schooling, unemployment benefit? Would I get it, if i went to live in your country?
Casey - laindon
In Italy, there are no benefits, the state doesn't give you money if you are unemployed. There are no benefits at all. You see, in the UK, the people who live here are treated better than in other places. They help you find a job. In Italy that does not exist.
Anyway the reason this country is blowing is not because of the immigrants.
It's just because someone must take the blame for the wrongs and now everyone is against those people. If your country can not give you a life, like Italy, what would you do? Just wait to die and rot there or would you do something to change your life?
I came to England and I am struggling to find a job but at least here I have a chance to get a job. In Italy, there are no jobs at all. That's the government's fault. There is so much to do, clean the dirty streets etc.
But the problem is that no one is willing to pay you to do that. Anyway no one should control a land, who are you to say we are not allowed in England? It is so wrong to take the freedom to go wherever they want.
What will remain of England if all the foreigners were to be thrown out? This is just fear. The politicians will use people' fear, they will inculcate false beliefs on people, brainwash everyone just to take what they want - power, just like Hitler did not so long ago.
Politicians do not give a care about you, they just want to make money. Do not make them control your mind. Everyone is free. Everyone should be free.
Italian - Northampton
What most of you from Bulgaria and Romania who are commenting fail to understand is us British dont hate you, not really, we hate the companies who employ you. The fact is they only employ you.
My question is this - if you all do come to the UK what do you expect the unemployed, the recently graduated, the school leavers to do? Yes you might be experienced, have degrees, speak several languages and because of that you will most definitely get the job.
But because you are experienced and get the job, you take away the opportunity of someone who was born here to become experienced and get a job. And im sorry but its not your place to comment on the state of our education system, that's wholly offensive and totally disrespectful.
Wayne - London
Many of the immigrants would not live here if it wasn't for the handouts they get, so obviously that's the main reason they come here. You dont work then? Have you ever worked since you came here and paid into the country?
How do you support yourself? There are lots of jobs that could be created but the government is making cutbacks everywhere, and any jobs that do come up should be offered to British people first - then immigrants that have paid into this country for some years.
This is our country and we should have the right to say who does and doesn't come here to live. You're italian, you speak Italian and have your own culture so Italy is your country and you should say who can and can't come into your country.
That's why we have borders. As for what would happen if all the immigrants went home? Well for a start we would have enough houses for everyone, no overcrowded schools, no long waiting lists for docs appointments and operations.
We wouldn't be short of doctors as we wouldn't have so many people to treat, more money to put into more important things - and mainly almost enough jobs for everyone. That's what would happen.
Carol Hatch - Basildon
All the people that say yes these people do have a right to come here, let's wake up to the fact that we have a health service thats on its knees, a shortage of housing and schools that are full to the brim. So you tell me where these people are going to go?
Not to mention millions more being milked out of our benefit system. What is the European Union doing for Britain? Nothing other than open our doors to a bunch of free loaders, we cant even take care of our own people that are here. You do-gooders wake up and live in the real world.
Anonymous
To The Italian living in Northampton. Just because for whatever reason there are no jobs in Italy, why do you think you have the right to invade someone else's country and take their jobs??
I will ask you the same question that I asked my educated friend David. Their are an estimated 731 Million people living within Europe, say they all felt like you and wanted to come to England to make a better life for themself!! How would that work because according to your logic everyone has the right.?? Make no mistake my Italian friend it is not your right to come here and steal jobs from the Britis people. As I have said previously, unless you have a skill that is needed in England, go back home and support your own land. If we carry on with this crazy free movement within the EU we will have a lot of countries left just with their old folk and more prosperous countries bursting at the seams!!! Its logic and nothing else!! Trust me my friend if all the foreigners were thrown out tomorrow we'd survive so dont flatter yourself. Good Day To You
Doris - London England
Italian Northampton, One more thing. Have a little read of Derek from Liecesters comment. He is a Doctor struggling to cope with a 120% rise in patients since our doors were open to Europe. This is unsustainable and totally wrong that British people are having to fight for Doctors appts along side foreigners who have just turned up on our doorstep. Our country is full, we cannot take anymore people. CLOSED FOR BUSINESS.
Doris - London England
I think formation of the European Union is a failure rather than success. European leaders thought of its advantages alone. Its disadvantages exceed its advantages. Economic disaster, hardships, unemployment and bankruptcy have taken many to their untimely grave by suicide. It's too late as the clock can't be turned back.
Joel Savage - Antwerp/Belgium. Writer/Author
The UK should have limited the amount of immigration just like France did rather than open for all policy. At junctions we have these romanians washing car Windows or begging! The lady that said we should be proud of this and be thankful to them for blessing us with their presence! Maybe she sees this as a blessing but we certainly dont. The people that the article is relating to dont work (majority) and are a strain on resources especially in an already crumbling economy. The time to exit Europe is bow!
jack the lad - Birmingham
I fear for my children, with hardly any work for us British and doctors we britans are suffering to help other countries.
The world laughs at us and im ashamed to be british
Anonymous
mr krudy there are plenty of british people commiting fraud, and criminaly active, thats why we would rather not have any more. not begging though i doubt, that will come next year.
carol hatch - basildon
Alexandra, your exactly the type of greedy abusive selfish immigrant (for want of a better word which probably wont get used if i do) we dont want in our country. The amount of tax you've paid in on your lowly paid job won't even cover one visit to the doctors. We do not sit on our fat lazy asses watching tv while people like you steal our jobs. we go job hunting by the thousand but guess what?
You lot take them and because you work for peanuts - which is your own fault- there are no jobs. and ,we have all you illegals taking our jobs from us as well. your biting the hand that feeds you. You're an ungrateful immigrant that we want to get rid of. maybe if you went back to your own country and did something about the mess its in you wouldn't need to bring our country down. and dont dare to call it discrimination. It's called survival.
Carol Hatch - Basildon
Stop racism - Ann, London. Wer'e not all racists, although we have good reason to be with people from practicaly every country living here and the majority sponging of us. your always moaning about this country yet you still come here.
Why is that do you think? Why are you here if the British people are so horrid to you people? If were stuck with you for the time being you should stop griping and consider yourself very lucky to be here and thank us.
Casey - laindon
As an English man who lives in london and whose heritage in this isle stretches back 800 years, I have one message for all those foreigners of any kind who wish to trangress and cross my border to live iand remain in this isle - I do not wish you to remain in my culture permanently, you want to come for a holiday. Fine, you want to come to earn some money and return home. Fine. But do not remain, you are destroying the identity of my culture.
Ancient - London
After reading your comments (unwanted foreigners I add) I don't care if you get a rough deal from us English - we don't care if you're overqualified for your cleaning jobs. We just don't want you here, you're stealing our money from our NHS, ours schools from our children most of you can't even speak English. Go back home we don't want you.
No name
Doris and friends, I fear you are making impassioned arguments over issues you scarcely understand. The textbook example of one who does not understand economics is to resort to zero- sum thinking and welfarism as arguments against immigration. The UK's welfare system is fundamentally broken, since it provides very generous benefits to many who have not really contributed and indeed this becomes a problem in the context of EU immigration, since it provides an incentive for slackers to arbitrage between countries.
So, reform the system and put in place contribution tests to make sure that those who benefit have indeed carried their load. I must however stress that this is a UK problem, as this is the the country creating lousy incentives for both British and European citizens. There is however a very strong case for allowing those in who want to work and when the current restrictions expire, it will be to the benefit of the UK. A greater amount of cheap and qualified labour makes this a more competitive economy and it also improves demographics.
Many of you are overlooking a far more fundamental aspect, which is the UK's demographic time bomb. As the number of retirees is set to explode over coming decades, this means rising pension and welfare bills with the relative number of active workers dwindling. The UK actually needs more immigration to offset these effects, as we need more people paying tax. As a young person, I certainly don't want to end up paying 80 per cent tax.
Finally, the current restrictions have been very counterproductive. Honest, qualified and hard-working Romanians and Bulgarians have been deterred from coming since they had better things to do than wait for months in work-permit limbo, while those who did come were mostly low skilled and quite happy to work underground. Others who came included criminals, since their activities are obviously also off the record.
Remember that proper work-based immigration has always been a net creater of jobs. There is also no danger of 500 million Europeans coming to the UK, as this country has an relatively lower standard of living compared to many other EU states, there are language and cultural barriers and most people are perfectly happy in their own countries. Even for those who could do better over here, they will only move until wage differetials have narrowed sufficiently, and this mostly happens through wages in their own countries rising. Please think about the above and give rationality a chance.
David - London
David - London. When will you do gooders get your head out of the clouds? We will not benefit from these immigrants coming here. It's because they're here that there is cheap labour. They're prepared to work for peanuts which makes it hard for Brits to get a decent wage in these more menial jobs.
Who do you think did them before they came? But at least we got a fair wage. We can't now. As for the future, the retirement age is already going up so we need more job vacancies while older people have to carry on working when they don't want to.
Out of the thousands that are going to come over here, I wonder how many will have a job waiting and somewhere to live or the money to rent or buy. Those that dont, which will be hundreds are going to go straight to social security offices to get money, and free accomodation sorted out.
They will put them in hostels, hotels and bed and breakfast, some even council houses at the British taxpayers' expense.
Many, many British people don't get put to the front of the queue like immigrants, they have to live on the streets or sleep on someone's floor. The people that are running this country into the ground have no idea what's going on in this country, and they dont care or they would stop immigration. You live in your rosey picture of the future but in reality the future is very bleak as long as these people keep coming.
Carol Hatch - Basildon
Text book David is back again. I am not against immigration. Let's get that staight. What I am against is people coming here for a better way of life on the back of British people. We cant take everyone who demands that, it is unsustainable.
Do you David think we should let anyone in who thinks that they have a right to come here skilled or not? Let's have your comments on the following, I recently went to college (I didn't swallow that text book by the way) there was a girl in my group from Nigeria (one of many).
She was 21 but had come to the UK with her parents when she was 14 along with her six siblings. Her father got into the UK on the grounds he was a 'surveyor', however when they all landed here - surpise, surprise - his Nigerian qualification as a 'surveyor' was not worth the paper it was wrtten on.
He couldn't work and his wife was a cleaner until she slipped in the snow and had to claim disability benefit. So I am moving away slightly from what this forum is about but you tell me David, when the UK had to educate these six children along with disability benefits and everything else did the UK benefit from these Nigerian immigrants?
I think not. Why do you think it is so hard to get into countries such as America and Australia, because they insist on skilled migrants.
Have you seen what Romanians have done to the City of Duisberg in Germany? Heaven help us, that's all I can say. You are welcome to your opinion but we will disagree because there is a difference between you and I.
I'm English and care very much about my great country and the future it holds for my children and grandchildren. You are quite clearly not English and don't give a jot what happens to this country because it is a cash cow to you. I'm sure though that when everyone has made their money, they can go home to their unchanged countries. By the way David, what other country in Europe has a better standared of living than in the UK?
Doris - Great Britain
Immigrant families account for nearly half of Britain's new housing needs and will grow after December. So much for England's green and plesant land, more like Britain's concrete jungle.
Casey - Basildon
Just because I am Italian it doesn't mean that Italy is my country. For me, it's just a land and certainly I don't care who goes to Italy. Like England, no one should say that someone is not allowed in a state.
Throwing away the immigrants is not going to resolve your problems. Instead, there are going to be new problems. It's just ridiculous, I can't believe that there are still people who think this way. Unbelievable.
The government's going to collapse because it's a failure of the entire system on which it is based. You should put yourself in someone's else position. And don't worry, I'm not planning to stay my whole life here.
Italian - Northampton
I don't know what the criteria is for entry into the EU but surely if Bulgaria and Romania are as poor as stated, would this not be a complete drain on the monetary system of the EU.
Joseph Cosgrove - Millom, Cumbria, UK
Italian, the people that think this way are the majority. The people that think your way are the minority.
Carol Hatch - Basildon
If there's a march in London to stand up for British people, I'm there. I want Britain back the way it was - get rid of the poles and not let any other scabs in.
I work in my local hospital and they can't even speak English. How dangerous is that? It really winds me up. I've even heard from a colleague that they are only here for the free money, they don't understand we've been paying taxes for years and years.
Can''t say work for nhs - Weston Supermare
All that is said in the article about the mass immigration might or might-not be true but the facts are Britain is a small country and we should seriously be cutting down on all people coming here. The national health service and welfare is stretched to almost breaking point. Along with the roads, schools and employment. Enough is enough.
Louise Anderson - Gloucester
The countries in the EU should all have the same equal minimum pay. This would stop the influx of migrants taking advantage of our benefits system.
Peter - Bracknell
The government needs to either stand up to the EU or to leave it. I think we should leave, then we can stop all these people coming to live in this country. Why would we want these people in our country? All they do is claim benefits and take our houses and ruin the NHS.
If I go on holiday, I have to pay health insurance before I go to another country just for a two week holiday. It's mad that these people can come here with no money, no health insurance, no home to live in and no job.Come on Britain, let's take our country back.
Ann Jones
We cannot carry on letting more and more in to our country. We have not got our own house in order so why put more burden on us? These people who think this is the land of milk and honey better think again.
John Brett - Broxbourne
Well, I spent some time reading all your comments and honestly I'm a little surprised and you know why? Nobody is seeing the matter from another point of view and now i will explain it from the EU's view: Romania has given all her natural resources including oil resources (omv has bought from our corrupt politicians and goverments all our oil resource with almost no money, almost free, good bussines right?).
Our national bank with all the assets in the country went to some Swiss bank, our gas resource, the EU is tolerating the mass wood cutting from our country because the wood gets to an Austrian company. And the list may continue a long long time from now.
In a word we Romanians, are being constantly robbed by great economical and 'superior' countries through their 'great' companies. So it's one thing that I don't really understand. Why come after my country? It's not mine anymore.
Romania is not in the ownership of Romanians, it's yours dear friends. Belive me, I'm a stranger in my own country and after all this robbery, you try to take our only right to be able to travel and work in the EU?
We don't have jobs in here because your multinational companies took everithing. We are payed with 200 euros per month by your companies here. And the jobs on offer are less than 15 per cent of our job needs. You made us an economical and political colony, and make sure you keep us 'monkeys' in the cage .
P.S. I hope I'll never be need to step a foot in your precious country and I also hope for your companies, which are active in Romania and rob us everyday, get back on their home country. Peace.
Sfk - Romania
The reason why the government has put the bedroom tax forward is to kick people out of their homes to be replaced by the mass influx of immigrants. Where else are they going to live? Immigtants will always come before a Britsh citizen in the eyes of the government. Stop mass imigration. British jobs for Btitish people.
RSL - Wales
SFK ROMANIA, And your point here is? We still don't want you overcrowding our country.Stay away. Thank you.
JSmith - UK
Labour signed the treaty for social engineering and had hoped by doing this those coming to these shores would vote Labour and keep them in power. They should be locked up for treason. I think . Theresa May has the courage and will to do this even though David Cameron doesn't. All most ministers are concerned about is their self worth and lackeys, not the interests of the country and its people.
Anonymous
The HM Government Petition to stop the mass immigration of Bulgarians and Romanians has now been signed by over 120,000 signatures. When will this be debated in parliament? Will it have any influence? That's what I'd like to know.
I suspect not. It's not about having a personal dislike of members of other EU countries, it's about our resources - our hospitals and schools are grossly under strain. How many Bulgarians and Romanians will be doctors or teachers? Where do they think they are going to live? We are already overcrowded here.
Chris - East Grinstead, UK
The thing is your comments are pretty much all right and the UK is filled with its own lazy people but that's for Britain to sort out. And whatever you think of the original comment, he's right. This country is doomed and whether immigrants are good or bad this country - it is too packed to keep up.
And what your forgetting is that 40 or 50 years ago this country was amazing. It's not anymore but then you would of had to been here or had family here to understand what's been lost. And, no, as people it's not all your fault but if your country was thriving, and was beautiful and prosperous and 10 to 15 million immigrants came over - and some helped, some took away its resources and the rest bled it dry - then how would you feel? How happy would you be?
Charles Yeboah - United Kingdom
Why doesn't everyone say what they realy think. The average working class people are so fed up with this mass immigration problem. These people do not want to mix with us. They are here for what our country has to offer - housing, healthcare and all of the benefits.
The roads are getting impossible with all the extra cars. Us ladies are scared when out as many of the individuals are very creepy and shifty. Our wonderfull country is not ours anymore. Is it all going to stop when it is all too late?
Marianne Lee - London, UK
There is no room or work for any more Eastern Europeans to come here. I am fed up with people being given money that I have worked all my life for.
Pboyde - London
Dear friends. I am Bulgarian and I would like to say here that these fears from Bulgarian emigrants are not serious. This is anti-Bulgarian action from some UK politicians and their target is to earn dividents from all of this.
Everybody can see and everybody can make the calculations. How can 4,5 million Bulgarians come to the UK if the population of Bulgaria is only 7,5 million including retires, students, kids and so on?
Every normal person has to think about the lies of politicians and don't permit their manipulations.
Vili Popova - Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Mr Cameron is not listening to anyone so when he is voted out, he can run anywhere he wants. He can afford to do this but we the likes of the British-born and bred cannot due to cuts he has made and opening the door to any Tom, Dick or Harry. So why should we beleive in anything he has to say.
John Brett - Herts, GB
We hear that all the time in the US. They do work no one else will do. An overused phrase and it's a crock.
J. Low - USA
Why anyone would want to leave beautiful Bulgaria for the pile that the UK has become, I don't know.
King of the mews - Suburbiania
This is unfair, Why can't we come to the UK? Our country (Bulgaria) may not be the greatest. This is why we want to study and live in a better place. I thought that British people are known for their politeness. Now you are just being rude.
Katy - Sofia, Bulgaria
I totally agree. I also believe that my opinion is as a direct result of my location. If I go into town, all I here are foreign languages; if I go to the council office all I here are foreign languages of people claiming benefits. If I go to Surrey or Oxford, I hear English.
If we are going to continue with this we need to apply rules such as you must have a trade which is needed; you must be able to keep yourself for two years prior to claiming benefit; you must take out medical insurance.
Out of all the countries in the EU why do people choose the UK? Because of the benefit system; the NHS and the fact that they automatically qualify for high-band housing. I know lots of British people who are on the poverty line struggling to pay extortionate private landlord rents; having worked 30+ years they are told by the council that they are low-band and may have to wait 10+ years for rented accommodation if they get it at all.
Enough is enough; to top this, we now have foreign schools pinging up all over the place. What happened to integration? Why not go to France or Germany? Hmmn - welfare benefits?
Nobody's fool - Norfolk
Please, no more immigrants. Our wealthfare system cant take it. Out benefits scheme cant take it. There's no housing, no jobs and people are getting tired. There's no room in our schools, no housing and our NHS is being bled dry. People have had enough.

Mark - Selby
You should be ashamed. Romanian and Bulgarian people are not responsible for all the problems in the UK. Maybe you should isolate the UK from the rest of the world?
Carmen - Lichfield, Romanian
There are a lot of liberal, apologist nonsense responses here which fail to miss one of the main points of the article. It is well documented by UK police that organised and petty crime from Eastern European countries is a growing problem, and has been since immigration policies were relaxed.
If you are breaking the law, you should be deported back to your own country. If you are not breaking the law then good for you, that's how is should be.
The fact is that there are a lot of criminals from all over the world who operate in the UK because our increasingly liberal system lets them get away with it. The man who killed that poor school girl? He should get the death penalty but instead he gets to hang out in a mental home at the taxpayers' expense.
Godster - Manchester
Carmen - Lichfield, Romanian. No Carmen we shouldn't isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. We should stop inviting all the criminals here from around the world. That includes Romanian criminals.
John Smith - London
Why should we be ashamed not to let people in 'our country'? No matter who you are where your from, my country is full we have no room for anyone else, I'm fighting to be rehoused as my son is disabled. He has a termal illness and why should he suffer or anyone else suffer in a house he cant get around in, in his wheelchair and needs somewhere ground level.
With immigants here, there's no housing for the British people who have lived here all their lives, payed taxes and yet we can't get nothing. We have to fight for things to be done etc. Yet people come over, take what they want, send money back to their own country and families and live in a 10-bedroom house.
If people can't handle the fact the British people have our flags up and don't want anyone from any other country here that's not our problem. Don't come over here then. All we want is a safe place to live and for the British people to come first - all who have lived here all their lives.
Our grandfathers, great grandfathers, great great grandfathers and ancestors fought for the United Kingdom in the first and second world wars, and for what? It makes me sick. What was the point in that in the first place?
May as well have let Hitler take over. I'm not saying we hate Bulgarians and Romanians, it's just the British people are sick and tired of the government being a soft touch all of the time. Whether you're from Bulgaria, Romania or any other country they should be integrated if their intention is to live in the UK.
It's like to live in Australia you have to be interviewed - questions like where you went on holiday, your entire life and how/where you'e going to live, what job are you going to do where you getting the money from to live here, if you have a criminal record. It should be like that in the UK. If you don't come up trumps, then you can't live in the UK. It's as simple as that.
Jp - Kent, UK
Romania and Bulgaria have nothing to offer so don't let them in.
No name
I hate the UK. Why on earth they would open up to such a poor country is beyond me. I have signed so many e-petitions now and I've been sending the links to every one I know to do the same.
Our school are already over run, our NHS is already stretched. And jobs are hard to get. The people running this country are supposed to be educated individuals.
Can they not see that poor countries like these with no minimum wage will see the UK as a holiday? Not to mention our appealing benefits system. All it takes is for them to come over here and start having sprogs to get on the hand-out system.
This is worrying and the thought of this scares me. I hate to say it but this government is turning me into a racist.
Emma - Nottingham
We are bursting at the seams in every respect: hospitals, surgeries, schools, transport. Only let in people who will work and pay taxes, not go on benefits the minute they arrive. Social housing should go to people who have paid all their lives, and if this is the directive from Europe, then ignore it, as Italy and France do in many other respects. England abides by all the rules and I think British taxpayers have had enough. Restrict immigration for ever on such a scale, England is a tiny country with open coffers to all.
T.Buckingham - W.Sussex
Our borders should be shut to everyone until we get our house in order. Neither the current UK residents, or anyone intending to come here will be better served by keeping the borders open. The country is going to the dogs and there is nothing to be gained by moving here. So let's shut up shop, sort ourselves out and then re-open when we know where we are going, what we are doing and what mutual benefits can be gained by people choosing to live here. There is no racist intent in this comment, just a request for common sense and a step back to consider our situation.
Karen Rose - Greater Manchester, UK
The best decision is to restrict Eastern Europeans, who regretfully are just looking to take money from this country. Other nationalities provide better value to the UK by investing in their education and spending their money in this contry.
Claire - UK
You Europeans are very racist, including you from Bulgaria. Asians, meaning Indians and Pakistanis, were made British subjects in 1858 meaning we have more than 200 years of being British. We all speak English too, better than you stuttering Europeans.
You are not British. You are educated under a communist ruling system. You are not capitalists, you are worst than the German Nazis. Why don't you go to Germany?
Because you want the benefits in this country and to spread racism amongst the black and Asians who have 200 years of being British. Go away European trash. You have no understanding of the UK.
I hate Euro Trash - UKIP
Kick us out, no problem with that if that is what you really want. Kick out Christian, hard working people with similar values, who actually respect you enough to want to learn your language and traditions - who only want a chance to a better life.
Immigration is real and happens every day. I am Romanian, have been living in the UK for four years and to be honest with you I am disappointed by your country. As another fellow country man, I was raised with the common knowledge that western Europe is more civilised and more advanced than we are.
Guess what? Had we not been communist regime for a good while, we would be far better than you. We have been in Europe for as long as you have, we come from Roman and Dacian people who were strong, hard working, innovative people.
We just had the misluck of out geographic location, while you were safely at the other safe end of Europe. The least you can do is treat us as equals, as human beings who have the right to live and work in any country they choose to.
Cristina - Belfast, UK
Dear Mr. Godfrey Bloom. Did you know that British investors continue to come to Romania? And I am referring to investment projects like infrastructure worth hundreds of millions of euros.
Did you know that most of their high and middle management stuff are British citizens? Do you know why they come here? To take our money. To bring value and take our money. Like in every core business all over the world.
But you know something? We, the Romanian state have always embrace every single ex-pat worker or foreign investor. We are far more open-minded, permissive and hospitable than many other nations - including yours.
Why do you think Prince Charles is looking for Romania and for this country's beauty and hospitality. I myself have worked for years with the British citizens I refer to above and I must say that they did not look or behave at all as arrogant and ignorant - as you seem through your nothing article.
I recommend you should come down from the clouds and see the real economical lifecycle. Romanian, Bulgarian, Indians, Spanish and other nation citizens bring you cultural value, competitiveness, their work services value and finally their money as they pay taxes and fees just like the British citizens.
They in fact help you constantly grow economically. On the other hand, you British citizens do the same things in other economical spaces like Germany, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Emirates, South Africa, Asia, etc. Do your own research. The data and facts speak for themselves.
Besides, giving disgraceful examples of Romanian citizens breaking the law in the UK territory prove your same ignorance as long as disgraceful examples could be posted about British citizens in the UK territory and abroad too. Furthermore as long as the law is equal and binding upon everyone, if they commit a crime they consequently should be punished but the thousands of others should not suffer along because then discrimination comes up.
And this is what your article sets out: arrogance, ignorance towards the economical lifecycle and core principles of economy and a lot of discrimination. It's a shame for your descendants who fought for these principles. It's a shame for the British history itself.
An open-minded Romanian citizen - Europe, Romania
Despite the article only commenting on Romanians and Bulgarians, and despite there being some scaremongering, I do believe that an open-door policy is no good and what UKIP is saying should actually be applied to all EU members.
I live in London and I have noticed over the past couple of years an increase in Eastern Europeans, Italians and Spanish but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The borough I live in is very multicultural and distributes information to residents in many languages.
My friends are foreign, mainly Italians, whose English is poor. They have jobs both of which could be filled by British people, they own property that they can sell at a profit. You cannot sell your home in Italy for 25 years after purchase and to top it all, they make sure you know that they hate living next to Polish, Somalians and Eastern Europeans - as they put it, "foreigners".
My neighbours are Bulgarian (well educated but still not using articles when they speak or write, they work on and off, and I have to say are very nice people) Armenian and African (both speak good English and have jobs in the local council). All of these people are decent, hard working and good neighbours to have.
I am a mix of four nationalities myself and I also have Japanese, Hungarian, Greek, Canadian and Polish relatives in addition to the other nations nationalities of my birth. I am third generation, I was born in this country. When my family came to England they had to learn the language and there were no benefits.
I grew up with Italians, Greeks, West Indians and Asians. Britain has always welcomed those from other countries. As a nation, we are tolerant and accepting and we are well educated. We also offer the best education in the world, which is why so many other nationalities come here to study. So all of you offended Bulgarians below should zip it up. You are lucky to be here in work, when so many have nothing. You are living in a more luxurious state than in your own country.
Sadly, since the UK joined the EU things have got worse. It is all too easy for people to come here and work. There is nothing wrong in that, providing that the jobs in this country cannot be filled by those who are born here or living here as British Nationals - no matter their race or culture or if they are working for a foreign company which requires their own native speakers.
Some jobs also require linquists. Jobs should only be offered to other countries (migrants) if they cannot be filled by national residents first. Money earnt in this country must stay in this country and not be sent home. Benefits should be cut once you leave the country, no heating or child benefit if you go abroad - this is still paid. Pensions are different.
Government should insist that companies fill jobs from applicants who are British nationals first, offer compulsory training schemes and make building companies take on apprentices from schools and colleges. We need to train our youth and workforce instead of relying on outsiders as there is a big unemployment problem in this country.
It should also be law that you cannot have any job in this country without a good command of the English Language both written and verbal. If you work in this country, you must speak English. If you come to live here and wish to eventually become a Brisith National (and I know many Polish who love this country and do take up this opportunity), you must learn English and be able to communicate.
I have family who are builders and they don't want to take on apprentices as it is too much paper work. It is easier to employ a foreginer at a lower wage than a British worker. This is a problem big time. everyone expects you to work for nothing today; I've never seen so many jobs advertised as intern and voluntary - no wage.
The more foreigners work for lower wages (and companies are wrong to do this) the worse it gets for the rest of us. I know many would disagree but the fact remains that there is a national wage limit and it should not be undermined but it is, plus there are too many people who will work all hours for little in return as it is more than what they get back home. Everyone deserves a job with a decent rate of pay.

I am sick of hearing that British people do not want to work - we do - many of us are finding it very hard to get work. We are not lazy or thick. We are however, a stupid race for putting up with so much crap from the EU. Our easy going nature is being tested.

The British youth are not lazy or uneducated, and they do not all go and get pregnant for benefits. In fact, I know a Bosnian who is doing this. She lives in a flat worth £500,000, in a nice area of London, rented by the government, she has a seven year old child and is on benefits and she is moaning about the flat and the area - and the neighbours. She also earns money aside of her benefits. If it is that bad go home.

Our British youth need opportunities and work (or the hope of it). Many go to university and cannot find jobs afterwards, they are in debt. Once you are over 50, it is harder to find work, I know as I am this age and struggling to find work and survive, even trying to find a low paid job is difficult. It appears that most companies want young 20 year olds who speak with a accent and who do not know their arse from their elbow, as long as they are cheap labour.

I am well educated and have always had work but I have seen the changes in this country and I do not like what it has become. I am horrified at what is happening worldwide. Most EU countries are struggling and having a united currency has not done them any good. Banks have caused the problems and the EU has not helped.

It is too easy for people to come to Britain, borders need to be tightened. It is simply a fact that we cannot sustain having any more migrants in an over populated country. No one is saying "don't come". What we are saying is that we are filled to capacity, we have limited resources.

No matter where you are coming from, we are saying we cannot cope with what we have right now and you cannot expect to come here and take work when others need it. Sadly, many companies are at fault, they should not be allowed to advertise their jobs abroad unless they truely cannot fill the position by someone here first.

The government needs to pull its finger out, and tighten things up, deport criminals, round up those who have been refused entry and deport them (many are homeless and struggling). Oh, before you comment on this, my friend dated a South American who was illegal here and he worked as a cleaner for eight years. He never spoke English, and never learnt. He decided to go to Spain to live with his sister, he was caught at Dover leaving the country and after spending a short time in prison he was given £5,000 to go home to Guatemala and his air fair was paid for by the government.

What a disgrace, he is one of many, I bet. Times are hard for everyone and even though we realise and understand that everyone in the world has a right to improve their life and circumstances and live in a better way - you cannot expect England to resolve the problems and provide it.

It is important to have multiculturalism and diversity but it has to be balanced. That way it is fair on everyone and then we can all live and work together in a peaceful. Britian has a lot going for it but it also has a lot that needs improving. The recent cuts in local government are causing a lot of people suffering, companies are going bankrupt due to the world economic crisis and as a result a lot of people are losing their jobs. Things have to change, lets hope it is for the better.

Personally, I think being in Europe is not good, I cannot see the benefit of a single currency and I pity the Greeks the Cypriots who are proud nations. They will fight but I feel sorry for them and their plight. They are now caught between a rock and a hard place, with EU bureaucrats dictating and the Russians greedy for land and oil and gas. Hang on to it Greece and Cyprus, they are valuable commodities don't sell these things or your soul.

Finally, please remember, unless you are born in this country or have migrated here and become a British National, you are a guest in our country. Please have some respect, do not abuse our system or take more than you need or are entitled to. Those with criminal records are not welcome, we've got enough of our own to deal with.

Kindly also remember that no one is forcing you to stay, you do not have to come here. This is your choice, the other alternative is to stay in your own country and fight or work at making it a better place to live.
Anon
The UK is full of unskilled workers. We have to stem the flow. We're full. Not enough school places. Roads gridlocked. Not enough homes. We must leave the EUSSR.
Dave Jobson - Southampton
I think if it is the case that EU immigrants can come to the UK freely to claim benefits, housing and NHS then we also should be able to go to their countries and also be able to get all of those things. At the moment, we have to pay for treatment and cannot work in Bulgaria.
You have to open a business and we certainly can't claim benefits or recieve housing. How fair is that? I'm not working until I'm 68 to pay my taxes in to give out handouts to people who have never paid into the system.
If this is to be, then i want to go abroad and live a life without work with a free house - having some life for once. What's void for goose is good for ganders.
No name
Direct response to Valya Toneva - Sofia, Bulgaria. Your mind seems to be full of hate towards people of other nationalities who helped build this country. I am a second genertaion British-born Asian. My family has been in Britain since 1951.
There are thousands of second and third generation British asians who have greatly contributed to Britain. I am educated with a university degree and so have my younger siblings. Asian people were asked by the British government to come to England and help build the country after world war two.
Millions of Asian soldiers fought for England and for the British army due to India being part of the British empire. Thousands died and both of my grandfathers fought for this country. There are millions of hard working and british born asians in the UK.
Do you think our elders had it easy? No, everyday was a struggle due to racism. But we Asians still have achieved a lot. Many like me own our homes and successful businesses etc. The only difference is my skin colour is brown, so you might think 'but he's a Asian'.
Judge people on what they make of life, not by the colour of thier skin or where they come from. We were called to the uk due to our strong ties with the British empire but immigration from the Commonwealth of nations slowed and stopped in the late 1970s due to the Conservative party limiting immigration.
People say " too many blacks, asians, Chinese". The difference is with you is that thanks to EU you can come and go without a visa. The point which people on this forum are trying to say, the UK already has a dense population and remember its not a country but a island. There is already a strain on services, youth unemployment, NHS strained and wages low etc.
Us, the British, struggle everyday and many like myself have our bills, mortgages to pay and sometimes only two people be working and finding hard to make ends meets.
With EU visitors they share a house a with 4-5 others and spilt everything eg rent, utilities. Tell me now who has a harder life? Since 2004, millions have moved to the uk and many work, can speak english and ingrate towards a British life well. Now how about the people who don't want to speak English and millions of taxpayers' money is used on interpreters and other language translations?
How about schools that can't cope with new arrivals and shortage of school places? How about wages being driven because of the cheap labour available which Brits can't compete with and many Brits do want to work? This is what the British people are fighting for.
Before you criticise me, I am a British-born Asian and you should research the Asian contribution to Britain before you start speaking with bias towards other nationalities, which you don't know nothing about and I am working full time before you say I'm on the "dole".
Britain is my home - England
Valya Toneva - Sofia, Bulgaria- I forget to ask which Asian are poor countries? India is growing into a super-power. The economy of The Republic of India is the 10th largest in the world by nominal GDP and the third largest by purchasing power parity. So once again, get your facts right.
Britain is my home - England
Doris, I'm afriad that your example simply validates the earlier observation made that UK welfare spending and social benefits are out of control. The problem in Britian is not with immigration, but instead with a welfare system that gives too many people something for nothing.
We should certainly move towards a contribution based system, in line with that of most other EU states. The problem is that far too many people in this country want state welfare, which is precisely the reason they oppose immigration - because the UK cannot exclude EU nationals from the welfare pot.
It is thus problematic given the current setup, but contribution based systems have proven fairly effective in fixing problems associated with welfare tourism. It seems that most right wingers here have decidedly left wing economic views - social conservatives with anti free market principles.
Ultimately though, you will have to face reality. UK demographics are terrible and we need more people to come, work and pay taxes. Young people don't fancy having their taxes doubled on out of control welfare so that some of you can engage in racial and ethic puritanism. Reality always prevails and thankfully so.
David - London
Great Britain has conquered the wold for many years in the past in order to gather this wealth. And now they don't want to share it. They don't care about other poor countries. Let them live in extreme poverty? Otherwise their comfort will be spoiled.
A honest Romanian
After living abroad myself for a few years, I really do not see that it will be a big issue for native Romanians and I doubt there will be a lot of them coming over. The reality of native Romanians are really hard workers and have the ability to migrate fine, but again I do not see such a huge influx. In the news there is a lot of scare mongering going about.
As far as our own young unemployed generation of people, to be honest most of them are too damm lazy and should be forced to work on fields and in warehouses.
Andrew - Brno, Czeck Republic
Enough is enough, get out of the EU. The EU is crippling Britain. They dictate to us and all our David Cameron says is 'how high shall we jump'.
John Brett - Broxbourne, Herts
This country belongs to British people, not Europe.
Don Stenhouse - Jarrow, England
Why are you Bulgarians and Romanians all complaining so much and why is it such a surprise to you when you get negative opinions expressed? The UK is at bursting point, the roads are full, the schools are full, there is a national housing shortage and there are several million people unemployed.
When will you realise this is for most people not about your race or ethnicity. It may be for some but not for most. It is quite simply that there is no more room, get that through your heads and you might begin to understand the reasons for a large part of this debate.
If you don't speak English, don't come. If you don't have skills which guarantee you will be in work from day one, don't come. If you don't have a home to live in, dont come. If you don't have a job, don't come. It's not racist to say don't come, it's about not wanting to live in an overpopulated, crowded island.
Eric banner - Barnstable
I come from Romania and I am in London. I will tell to everyone how much the UK sucks. I don`t like it that I am only allowed to work as self-employed. Like a man and women shall work only as cleaners. I have a masters degree from university.
The weather in the UK is really bad. Everything is too expensive for a normal life. So please, keep your UK for you and continue to give money to the royal people, who are never going to work in their life. Are you stupid or what? Goodbye.
No name
I could not agree more, I lived in Bulgaria for some time as could not sell my property. Finally I sold at a loss. Now I live in Thailand - better weather, people are not ignorant but very pleasant and helpful.
Yes, there are the usual scams here but most people are helpful and polite. Something lacking for the most part in Romania and Bulgaria where some citizens lie and deceive all of the time.
In the Balkans, they are always going on about their lovely countryside but it is nothing special. If you want to see bleak ex communist shanty towns and dismal tower blocks, go to Bulgaria/Romania.
Letting the Balkans mafia into the UK will only result in more ATM crime, robbing and cheating. Some of these people dont play fair and are just out to scam a gullible system - and sell horsemeat as beef.
Dave Orme - Thailand
Romanian, no name, London. I'm sorry you think the UK sucks and that everything is expensive but then you do live in the countrys capital, that the weather is bad and you have a masters degree (as do many many British people) and you obviously dont like our royal family.
If you had done a bit of checking - first you would know that the royal family pay more in taxes than they recieve from the civil list. They are wealthy due to inheriting from thier family before them. Only the senior members of the royal family are on the civil list. They bring in a lot of tourism to this country to name one thing.
What do you bring in? As you want us to keep our UK, that must mean you are going home. You people should do some research before you come here and ask yourself why unemployment is so high.
It must be the lack of jobs. also wages are sometimes low because you people will work for low wages - messing it up for British people. If half of you did research, you would not want to come here - which would be nice for us.
Matt - Pitsea
Romanian in London- I'm glad you think our country sucks. Maybe now you will go home to your wonderful country, maybe you can take some of your friends with you.
Our royal family work very hard and dont take the option of retiring when they reach 60 and 65. They do it for as long as they feel able to, like our queen who brings in a lot of revenue to this country.
Dont knock them. And as for your staying as a guest in our country, dont knock that either.
John - Basildon
It's a pity that all you soon to be immigrants coming to Great Britain haven't got access to a computer. Then you could do your homework on this country and see what chance you have of getting a job and somewhere to live.
The streets of London are not paved with gold, more like homeless-lots of British people thanks to immigration and beggars - the vast majority foreign- pickpockets - foreign, and illegals taking jobs for peanuts; spoiling it for British people as hardly any council houses are being built.
More people will make the homeless problem worse. The bedroom tax isn't for the government to claw back money, it's to force people to downsize or take in strangers as lodgers. Many may be forced to take in foreigners to make ends meet.
Parents have grown up with children still living with them because the councils won't house them, because they have to house so many of you people. The majority of you as we all know come here for the benefits system, not to work or fit in. We have to put up with your criminals and when they get caught, we have to feed you in ever more crowded cushy jails - instead of being able to send you home and do your time at your own country's expense.
Please don't come here, even you people that genuinely want to work and fit in. It's the wrong time. This country is full. It's out of jobs and houses etc. And come next year, the money to keep you. We will begin to hate you and British people will pick on you, and you will only have yourself to blame.
John - Basildon
I have worked with Romanians and Poles et al and the hard working myth is hogwash. They are here for what they can take, believe me. ands its all low end uneducated trash we have. Still probably after 2014, we will send them all back as we will exit the EU. It's no longer sustainable. Just look at the contributions these countries make. It's all take, take, take.
Boadecea - Harlow, Essex
LOL. The hypocrisy of a Bulgarian living in the UK, criticising others who would want to try to do the same.
Blank
To all you immigrants that have only been living here a short time, and to those that are still descending on Britain - a lot of you think your presence here doesn't make a lot of diference. But let me tell you it most definitely does.
We know our country and as we are born and bred here. We can see what all this immigration is doing to our people and this country. We can see the decline in our services etc.
You come over and think your not harming our country because there are a lot of homeless and jobless people, like in your own country. You can't see the damage you are doing to this country as we can. Before this mass immigration, we were a land of plenty. Now you have taken it with your scrounging and job stealing etc. This will not get better until immigration is stopped, fullstop.
John Ryan - Essex, England

Read more: http://www.publicserviceeurope.com/article/2686/uk-cannot-afford-eu-open-borders-any-longer#ixzz2R3mn9FKr

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