Immigration irritation: Mayor of Calais attacks Britain's 'soft touch' welfare system

The Mayor of Calais claimed that Britain had a 'soft touch' and that migrants flocked to the UK's relaxed welfare system.

By Dave Lancaster |

17:40 29 October 2014

Natacha Bouchart, the Mayor of the French port of Calais, gave evidence to the Commons' home affairs select committee and claimed that migrants found the British benefits system “far too attractive” and that it was “encouraging people to come here”.

Of the 2,500 migrants currently stuck in Calais and becoming increasingly violent and criminally minded, Bouchart said: “The real magnet is not the city of Calais but the benefits that are perceived in Great Britain,” said Miss Bouchart.

“The weekly benefits of £36 that are given to migrants or asylum seekers is a huge amount for people who have nothing in their lives.

“People who have got through [to Britain] call and say ‘We’ve got through. This is El Dorado and we’re staying here’.

“I know £36 a week is not much in the UK, but they do not know that. They come from very poor countries.

“They have no idea about the value of money and they don’t understand that £36 is very little per week.

“There has not been a message from the British Government saying ‘This is not el Dorado’.

“If it is not true you need to be saying it very loudly and clearly in our country and across and throughout Europe.”