Quote Originally Posted by stripes39 View Post
They do risk their lives in many cases that is true. I also agree that the right sort of immigration has bought big benefits to this country.

Why though do the vast majority who take these dinghies travel from different continents crossing perfectly safe and respectable countries where they can also claim asylum such as Austria, Germany, France and Italy (to name a few) only to put their lives at such risk on a very dangerous stretch of water?

There lies a big part of the problem for many.
There lies one of the issues, the vast majority do claim asylum in these countries. We take a small minority compared with what Europe do. More misleading news from our unethical and deceitful press.

The reasons why the minority come here....they can probably have closer ties/roots with this country such as they speak the language, have contacts here maybe even a place to stay, and because of this - have more opportunity here. Its nothing to do with benefits, our benefits system isn't much different from France, Spain or Germany's. If you've gone to all the trouble of making it to Calais from the Middle East or Africa, it probably seems like a small step further to get to the UK and give yourself a platform for a better life.