The Mirror: The Great Big Romanian Invasion: 5 essential lessons

Presenter Tim Samuels in Buzau, Romania for The Great Big Romanian Invasion

Documentary-maker Tim Samuels delves behind the headlines about Romanians flooding the UK to leech off us. He discovers who has come here and why, as well as travelling to Romania to understand what life is like there. It’s in turn heartbreaking, surprising and warm. These are the most stand-out facts you’ll learn.

Think back to the end of last year, ahead of EU border controls being relaxed on January 1, 2014. Certain factions of the press warned of a sudden influx of Romanians, who would ‘steal’ our benefits, bleed dry the welfare system and and pitch up camp in our fields. It didn’t happen. Photographers and TV crews pitched up at Luton airport expecting a stampede… and they witnessed a modest dribble of Romanians.

Romanians are perfectly capable of assimilation

Documentary presenter Tim Samuels is himself a descendant of Romanians, who moved here in the 1890s.

Some 100,000 Romanians have been ‘creeping in’ for years

The estimated figure have moved here in the past seven years without a fanfare of fear – most of them are self-employed or skilled workers.

* Watch The Great Big Romanian Invasion tonight on BBC1 at 10.35pm

 

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