Poor hosts

Some readers seem to assume that anyone who comes from abroad to live in this country has a huge family to support on benefits, and that British people will lose out because of this.

Some even think lots of people from other countries must be criminals!

My experience of people from other countries, who come to live here, is that if they are allowed to work, that is what they want to do.

Most countries have no welfare benefits and people learn to work hard from an early age.

In addition, many people who come here flee genuine persecution, if not actual torture and imprisonment, often for standing up for basic human rights.

Sometimes, British taxes indirectly play a part in supporting the government which persecuted the person who flees here. If you look back in any family history, you will find that some ancestor, near or far, came to Britain from another country at some point.

However, the British, too, have a tradition of going to live in other countries.

The British have, over the years, had a part in colonising and taking over many ancient cultures, imposing language and structures, shamelessly exploiting local wealth, and leaving their footprint forever.

When I read letters bitterly criticising policies that enable people to find a warm welcome here (such as it is!), I, as a British person, am somewhat ashamed to be part of a body of such poor hosts.

SUSHILA DHALL (Councillor) Walton Crescent Oxford