Migrant report is backed by MP

SELBY MP John Grogan has defended a Government immigration report, saying it gives a "pretty balanced picture" for the region and its Polish immigrants.

The joint Government department report revealed that migrant workers account for a £6 billion annual growth in the nation's economy.

Mr Grogan said: "In Selby and North Yorkshire, we mainly have Polish immigrants who have come to the county to work and to better themselves.

"For many employers in the county it has been a good thing as they have increased the amount of skilled work available.

"I think the Government and employers have a responsibility to encourage people to learn English and they should provide lessons to teach people."

The report stated that five out of eight regions were finding strains in some services, including education.

Mr Grogan said he thought the services were coping well in Selby and pointed to Selby Abbey Primary School as a success story.

More than ten per cent of the school's pupils are Polish.

Head teacher Sue Tite said: "We don't see it as a strain, just a challenge.

"You have to remember that many of these families are very aspirational. They want their children to do well and they help us as much as they can.

"Some of the Polish parents help us translate school documents.

"We work very much with equality and though the children may pick up negative comments around the community, we do not pick these up in the school.

"We just work very hard with the children so that they can work hard together. It's good for the children to meet others from another culture."

Mr Grogan acknowledged that there was some tension among people with "poor work records" but said that it was "a change that is here to stay".

Immigration: the Polish viewpoint

Bogden Bednarczyk, pictured, 26, of Kitchener Street, Selby, has lived in the region for nearly five years and manages the PL Shop, in Walmgate, York.

He said: "I only spoke a little English when I arrived; then I picked it up along the way. At first, I tried to find friends who spoke good English to help me find somewhere to live.

"Once you have found somewhere to live you can find a job. The only barrier is the language; everything is more straightforward after that. Skilled workers like engineers and people with qualifications in finance and economics come here because there are not enough jobs in Poland.

"They have to find some other place to use their skills. I like it here, I find people in Yorkshire are very friendly."

Source: The Press, Nick Appleyard

20/10/2007