The difference is that the immigrants also latch on to every “free” government program they can get their hands on, as witness the fact that practically every Muslim terrorist arrested in Britain was living in government housing and receiving their generous dole.
Taxpayers are paying the rent and living expenses of the new arrivals. That’s how employers get away with paying wages 61% less to immigrants. Employers of immigrants ought to pay an “Immigrant Employee Surcharge” to reimburse what the taxpayer is paying for their cheap labor.
The same thing happens in the US, but when the stats are published, they say "x% of the population is only making 61% of the average wage", completely disregarding the housing, food, medical and heating assistance that, if it were added to their income, would put them closer to, if not over, the average wage.
"Wages" was only a good indication when "everyone" paid for "everything" they used or consumed. With all the present government assistance programs, "wages" alone should be dumped for "Total Wages Earned & Assistance Provided" number.
Not, by and large, the East European immigrants this article is talking about, who have a reputation for working hard and more than earning their keep. Conversely, many of the British Muslim terrorists were not immigrants at all (at least not first generation).
I think the far better solution would be to do away with the government programs. Problem is, “there takin our jerbs!” is a better rallying cry than “no to government entitlements”. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the truth. I don’t really blame them, hell, if I found out some moron was giving away 3x my salary per person in some other country, I’d probably move there too.