CD - I'm sure the most quoted reason for immigrants wanting to come to the UK is the "benefits system" - have you ever asked yourself though who it is it that is actually making that claim.

The reason I hear from those I talk to in person that have emigrated to the UK is that they came here because they spoke English and for the work, freedom and British system of fairness and freedom.

Of course you can find individual case that support your ideas for why immigrants want to come here in exactly the same way individual cases of benefit abuse can be found amongst the British population.  Neither of which proves anything more than taking the reasons I mentioned which were given to me as proof of why immigrants in general want to come to the UK.

So if we can't be sure one way or another of the motives of those coming to this country we are left with simple common sense. 

It is beyond belief that someone would risk their life, spend many thousands of pounds and suffer incredible hardship and uncertainty to come to the UK for a few pounds in benefits!  This is why I treat with scepticism claims such as you make.

The real scandal of the benefits system is the working tax credit - this allows employers to underpay their workers in the knowledge that the government will top them up to a level that someone can live on.  It is these payments together with the other benefits that receipt of tax credits qualifies claimants for that make up the vast majority of 'benefit' payments to immigrants, not those paid out to those who aren't working.

Profitable companies should not be permitted to pay employees at a level that requires a subsidy to make it a living wage.