A myth indeed, but value of money is relative and if those in far off lands believe the myth, and to them, if they hear the amounts, compared perhaps with their own expectations at home, it may indeed sound generous, along with accommodation, they may come over in expectation of a better life.
We hear reports of the high wages in Norway, not always understanding the high costs, or even realising that Norway has food banks, and think they must be living in some comparative Utopia...or so the fish people tell us. Perception is all.
I accept that there are different reasons for thinking they will have a better life in Europe, but equally, their expectations are often high...wishful thinking, perhaps.

A trickle can be helped easily...a flood is overwhelming. Are we assuming that thousands of disappointed people are just going to wait quietly till we can sort them out with homes etc. That could be a bit disingenuous.
I know we have more than we need. I see people complaining about austerity and I despair. We have an obesity problem...how does that equate with austerity. We waste tons and tons of food. Most of the complainers have more than we had when we were young, and certainly more than our parents. Tax thresholds have been raised. Interest rates and inflation are lower than I have ever seen. My husband paid 20% rates on his mortgage. My parents didn't own their own homes till they were 35 and 45, respectively. I was 46.
Yet now we say children should be able to get on the housing ladder as soon as they want to leave home.
Is there no end to the sense of entitlement? Is that the standard we are to fund in African countries to stop the flow of people?
Here, although there are people struggling, and they need more help, a lot seem to think that losing a foreign holiday is hardship.
*ducks*

Maybe some Brits should go to where these migrants come from and see what austerity and hardship really are.