Open mind needed on migrants (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Open mind needed on migrants

10:18am Monday 15th January 2007 in Our View By Telegraph & Argus

With the embracing of many former so-called Iron Curtain countries into the fold of the European Union comes the inevitable economic migration of people from there to here.

The knee-jerk reaction is to throw up our hands and to complain that we are now on the brink of an invasion of young ne'er-do-wells who are looking forward to a life of luxury on British benefits.

The reality may well be a long way from the myth, and as our special report today shows, many of the Eastern Europeans settling in Bradford are determined to become valuable and productive members of society.

Bradford obviously has a long history of welcoming migrants, and with about 7,000 Eastern Europeans, largely Poles, in the district there may well be those who have their doubts about how it is all going to work.

But the experience of those dealing with the newcomers is that they have a strong work ethic and have chosen to come to Bradford and its environs because they have heard good things about the place and its people.

Of course, not everyone who comes to Bradford from foreign shores will be a saint.

But this is our opportunity to work with this burgeoning community of people to celebrate the increasing diversity of our society and ensure we all give and take the best that we all have to offer.